Setting the initial timing on a chevy small block. PT1

Part One http://ortamenxs.blogspot.com/

Setting the initial timing on a Chevy small block. I have set the timing on over a hundred small blocks, and rebuilt many a classic chevy, for a time it is what I did for a living. This is a THREE part guide on how to set the initial timing. I am very repetitive, and go slowly over this process. Find top Dead Center of your #1 cylinder, line up your rotor with a cap tower, that tower is number one. Run spark plug wire from #1 tower to #1 cylinder, then go around the cap from there. This is for Chevy small blocks, the order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2. Hopefully this helps someone. Thanks for viewing.




For those of who you watched all three and want to tell me I am wrong, this won't set TDC, make a video of your own, tell me how you set TDC, if you use a vacuum gauge it's the same thing as feeling the piston stroke your just watching gauge tell you where you at versus a dowel or wire. And I am going to start deleting, wait I have deleted some already, comments that state the advance for certain engines. Cam, Dizzy, and vacuum advance cannisters, will change what you should set the advance at! So don't tell everyoneto set thier 350 at X, when with a bigger cam X won't be right. And if I get one more moron telling me the firing order is wrong I will send them a bus ticket to come here so I can personally slap them in the head.

http://ortamenxs.blogspot.com/

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Chevy
• Small
• Block
• Timing

[torsiondrummer]

Hey, is that a bottle of Wild Turkey on your work bench? LMAO!

[ortamenx]

Probably, is I like my whiskey. Makes mechanic work easier.

[chaingod154]

did u use to work at franks in elk cit ok i think ive seen ur car

[ortamenx]

Nope I didn't. There is another Nova that looks just like mine some where out that way, I've saw pictures of it in forums and such. My car hasn't left Iowa, or Illinois (I live on ther border)since it was bought that dealership way back in the 70s.

[pimpinsi]

this video saved me a fortune, thanks ortamenx

[ortamenx]

No problem, glad it helped. :) Believe it or not I've got email from people who sell videos on how to set timing, with previews on youtube, asking me to take down my videos.:)

[alex97850]

@ortamenx I have a question for you.. I just replaced the head gaskets in my 76 GMC 400 Small block, I took off the rocker arm covers and all and I am wondering how tight they are supposed to be on. The truck did attempt to turn over but now it just sounds like the distributor is clicking.

[MrMth01]

dude i liked your video. I appreciated the lesson. my 78 chevy 4x4 is popping like a shotgun goes off ( at times ) do you think i should try to adjust my timing on it or is it another problem. I made me some notes against your sketch's, i'm gonna tryn do mine. i have freaking dial up internet. thats one reason i don't have my truck on here to view. i'm painting it now. going to be sharp i hope. my motor is a 4 bolt main. thanks again i'm going to tryn keep watching your videos tho. MTH

[Psi4tsi]

great video, especially for people who aren't very familiar with working on these things.

One thing though, isn't the dizzy driven by the camshaft, which in turn drive the oil pump

[Psi4tsi]

@Charlie3mm yes

[jnimrichter]

Thanks for the video. I was looking for an easy way to explain initial timing to my son as we work on his Nova. This was the ticket!

[spooks94]

I have a cam, I dont know about as per the diameter or what ever the mechanic is saying. I have a video of my engine which was making a sound that seems to had gone away. Will this method work for my engine? As far as timing.

We do not know whether its hydrological or solid lifters. Any advice?

[rayfliger]

@chevy383heartbeat Takes one to know one.....

[Giovanni12332]

thanks man, very helpful video.

[500hpb20]

Whiskey !!

[bumpstickc6]

youre a fuckin dumb ass

[NOLIMIT69NOLIMIT2000]

@WilliamMiloh I was assuming people already new how to find that. On that note you can blow me on your little research comment. Knowledge is where it's at.

[WilliamMiloh]

@NOLIMIT69NOLIMIT2000 Well if the #1 piston is on the exhaust stroke when you "hit the timing mark your 180* out. might do a little research before commenting. the timing mark on the balancer passes the timing tab twice every cycle. once on the intake and once on the exhaust. If you have poping and backfire through the card it's a good bet you've droped the dist 180* out. This info comes from building well over 200 motors over the last 29 tears. Miloh.

[Charlie3mm]

Can you rotate the engine by hand with an automatic transmission?

[Southerlandjoseph]

Still suck I am gonna make a video of the right way to do it and your motor looks like shit and number one should not just go any were

[yorgle11]

Finding TDC this way is good if you're in doubt about whether the timing marks are correct. Only thing I'd disagree with is I don't think you should find TDC while moving backwards, because of slack in the timing chain. It's better to find it while moving forwards so the timing will be stretched the same direction as it will be when the engine is running.

That's probably a minor point though unless the timing is in crappy shape.

[bplayer]

Not a bad video. You have an above average knowledge of what you are talking about. There will be haters..:)

[chevy383heartbeat]

dude you suck at getting to the point, did you watch a video on youtube to figure all that shit out, you are dumb.

[laythywbas]

very nice and easy thanx alot man nice vedio A++++

[jthorne88]

Got my first 350 small block project vehicle. Old 1982 chevy c-10. vids like these help so much. Thanks bro. :)

[semco72057]

I enjoyed most of the video as it reminded me of what I use to know about engine timing. I have to work on a 2.8L engine or hire someone to set the timing since the person who rebuilt it didn't know how to time the engine due to the electronic ignition on it. Thanks for the video and the help.

[jayguy173]

how about i explode on your face

[seapeddler]

First safety tip is to chuck that belt-driven fan and get a high performance Zirgo fan.

They work exceptionally well. They are a tad loud, but are great fans.

[jrohrback]

Thanks for the video. You helped me get my truck fired up after I dropped in a new dizzy. I had the timing all out of wack but she purrs like a kitten now thanks to you. Keep up the good work.

[smearnoff5100]

way to complicated, isn't that what your were trying to avoid

[NOLIMIT69NOLIMIT2000]

Your making the whole process more in depth and involved than it needs to be. Also if it is a performance engine they probably all ready know how to set timing.