Up or down to retard timing?

[John Gelfer]

I'm used to the Model T timing, where you push the control lever all the way UP to retard the spark for starting. I now have a 1928 Gardner with the Lycoming 226 straight 8, with a Delco distributor. I was told that I should pull the lever DOWN to retard the spark on this car. Before I attempt to start it, I sure would like to know the correct answer.

[Steve_Mack_CT]

Take off the dist. cap and turn the engine over with the crank or by bumping it. look at the rotation of the rotor. Now manipulate the timing control and the result should be apparent. Good luck if you are firing it for the first time.

[Mark Shaw]

All my buicks work the way you were told. Pull down to retard and up to advance.

[Jay Wolf]

My 1916 Elgin with a Falls motor was

Pull down to retard and up to advance.

With the lever on the right of the wheel.

Throttle was the same way down slow, up fast so

for fast driving it both up.

[mrpushbutton]

It really dosen't matter what another manufacturer did, you have to follow Steve_mack_ct's advice to see how <span style="font-weight: bold">that</span> manufacturer did it, then you will know with absolute certainty.