MG Car Repair: TIming question, light grey color, crank pulley

Question
QUESTION: Hi, it's Jon with the 76 Midget (1275 motor in it). I have ordered a timing
wheel to assist me--, to set static timing...(prior I mentioned no marks on
car). I had made marks to what I thought was TDC on the crank pulley and
timing cover. I made these marks at 12'oclock. However, looking at a MGB
today, is not the point of measure (the marks) more in the 10'oclock position,
as cylinders are not straight up and down>?  I know the motor is different
from a midget, but this may be a factor. If not..., as long as I am using a
consistant point--perhaps I still can tune? Once I figure this out, I am aware
dynamic timing is between 10-13 degrees...what should the measurement be
when I attach the vac line? This way, I can figure out how much the vac
advance is setting off the timing-(remember I played with this). What I do
know is the current setting sounds the best, advanced and retarded right now
runs rough and spits/farts. I am going to tackle a valve lash tonight; perhaps
with this set dead on the timing will be more accurate. At that point, I will
move to carbs.

Thanks for the help.

ANSWER: Jon, I think all of the specs are quoted with vacuum disconnected. There probably is no quote with vacuum connected because that would depend on how much vacuum was being produced at any given time. Too many variables.
It does not matter where you put your marks providing you establish true TDC of # 1 and #4 and mark it.
Howard

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: i know this is not a midget question, but you are quite knowledgeble. tonight, i had to floor my 04 impala to pass another car. I noticed a greyish smoke out the rear..., not a huge white cloud, but a greyish (light grey) color. does not do this under regular load. I noticed the tailpipes after this were loaded up with a greyish soot. like the residue from freshly cut concrete. no wierd smells, just the smell of a dry sauna. ideas? could this be a head gasket? unusual since it is a 04 impala ss with a supercharged 3.8L...and only 66,000k's on it.

cheers.
JGP

Answer
Jon, if you are losing coolant it could be coolant so you need to have a combustion chamber pressure test run to see if any combustion is leaking into the cooling system. Any time coolant can get into the combustion chamber, combustion can also get into the cooling system. If however, you show no signs of overheating, some engines have coolant running in jackets in the intake manifold and this makes it possible for coolant to leak into the intake by leaks in joint gaskets (if this engine has such)

A good way for you to test for combustion into the cooling system is to purchase (at any auto-parts store) the dye that you put into the cooling system to test for CO. It will turn a color if CO is present which shows for sure a head gasket leak. Other leaks are evident by the continued need to add water.

You are right about checking the smell of the exhaust as that is a good way to note brake fluid in the exhaust.

That is the best I can tell you as I have no experience with that engine.
Howard