how do you time a fast 4 motor?

[Guest 27 coupe]

hi again guys.....sorry for all the posts but im so lost on these old cars.. anyways, how do you set the timing on a fast 4 motor? my book i have says to look through opening in timing inspection cover on flywheel bell housing and so fourth...is this right?

[rb6673]

yes that is correct.when you find the timing mark and you are sure your # 1 cylinder is on compression stroke set the distributor so that the points are just starting to crack open with rotor on # 1 terminal of distributor.

[Paul Bohlig]

You can time the engine with your 12v modern timing light as well:

Hook the timing light energy needed to your modern car's battery by parking them nose to nose

Hook the rest to the old Dodge

With the crank hole cover open and before all this mark the flywheel by hand cranking to see the marks: TDC; BTDC, etc. Either a piece of chaulk or white out.

For your car the timing should be 12 degrees BTDC.

I found when doing this on my '28 6 cy. that it helps a lot to get the engine idle as low as possible. As you turn the distributor very slowly it will allow a slower engine speed.

As the engine idle drops drop the carb idle as well. Same as modern car about 650 rpm at idle

Edited October 6, 2010 by Paul Bohlig
also the carb (see edit history)