Classic/Antique Car Repair: 1962 - chevy p/u 235 cid, timing, silicon wires, copper core


Question
I'm having a hard time getting the timing set. the marks are on the flywheel above the starter, but I can't see the marks good. It looks like a small triangle maybe, and should it show advance marks if so how much is nessasary. The distributor has an external vacuum advance. The timing light, new style that clamps around the wire also don't won't to pick up unless I pull the plug wire back and let it arc. I've put on new points,condenser,plugs,silicon wires,cap and button  

Answer
These are a pain - you may have to take off the flywheel cover and clean up the area of the timing marks to get things visible enough to see what you need to see.

Find the ball set into the flywheel, then make the short vertical line clockwise from the ball real easy to see.  That is your timing mark.

I don't know why your timing light won't pick up the trigger pulse from the plug wire.  Maybe if you put one of the old style none-resistive copper core plug wires back on it on #1 cylinder temporarily while you set the timing, it will pick that up OK.  The new resistor wires are specifically designed to reduce the external field radiating from the wires because they upset radios and other electronic stuff in modern cars - maybe they are working so well your timing light won't pick it up.  Mine seems to work fine with them, however.

Good Luck.

You can also set the timing by "ear", you know.  Just set it so you barely can induce pinging by accelerating gently from 30 MPH in high gear, with the engine fully warmed up.  More gas and it will quit pinging, and less gas it will quit pinging, but there will be one spot where you can just barely make it ping - this is optimum timing for best performance and economy - regardless of what the timing light tells you.  Set the point dwell first, though, because the two adjustment are interrelated.

Point dwell should be 28 to 35 degrees. Set new points to around 32 degrees, because they will wear to a higher dwell quickly when the rubbing block wears in.

Dick.