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PKRWUD · 03-18-2002, 05:30 AM

The TDC mark on the balancer only refers to cylinder #1. Therefore, to time it properly, you want to know when #1 is firing. The inductive pick-up on your timing light senses when the voltage has been passed along the wire to the plug, and flashes a strobe light. In other words, each time the timing light flashes, is when the spark plug for the cylinder it is attached to is firing. Since the TDC mark refers to the #1 cylinder, it is that cylinder's spark plug wire that you need to attach the inductive pick-up to. Make sense? Your cylinders are numbered 1-4 and 5-8, front to back, starting on the passenger side. You were reading when the #3 cylinder was firing, and were trying to set it to where the #1 cylinder was supposed to fire. Honest mistake.

The degree marks on the balancer are almost always representitive of 2 degrees each. Most 289's were set at the factory at 6 degrees of timing BTDC, which would be the third line from the TDC mark. I would go ahead and try setting to 8 or even 10 degrees advanced (which would be the 4th and 5th lines, respectively). Don't forget to disconnect and plug the vacuum hose going to the distributor before you check and adjust your timing.

***BONUS***
Now that you understand how the timing light works, you can use it as a tool for locating an ignition miss as well. If the engine develops a miss at idle, just attach the inductive pick-up lead to each spark plug wire while the engine is running, and point the flashes at the palm of your hand. Watch them for each cylinder. You will eventually find one that skips the flash every so often. It should correspond with the miss you detected in the engine. If so, you have now found out which cylinder the problem is in. You just narrowed your diagnostics down by 7/8's. Check the plug for that cylinder, as well as the plug wire, etc.

When you get really good, I'll teach you a really neat trick for disabling the cylinders one at a time, while running, without electricuting yourself. This is also helpful in finding a miss or a weak cylinder (power balance test).

Just "good to know" stuff.

Take care,
-Chris

03-18-2002, 05:30 AM	#5
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	The TDC mark on the balancer only refers to cylinder #1. Therefore, to time it properly, you want to know when #1 is firing. The inductive pick-up on your timing light senses when the voltage has been passed along the wire to the plug, and flashes a strobe light. In other words, each time the timing light flashes, is when the spark plug for the cylinder it is attached to is firing. Since the TDC mark refers to the #1 cylinder, it is that cylinder's spark plug wire that you need to attach the inductive pick-up to. Make sense? Your cylinders are numbered 1-4 and 5-8, front to back, starting on the passenger side. You were reading when the #3 cylinder was firing, and were trying to set it to where the #1 cylinder was supposed to fire. Honest mistake. The degree marks on the balancer are almost always representitive of 2 degrees each. Most 289's were set at the factory at 6 degrees of timing BTDC, which would be the third line from the TDC mark. I would go ahead and try setting to 8 or even 10 degrees advanced (which would be the 4th and 5th lines, respectively). Don't forget to disconnect and plug the vacuum hose going to the distributor before you check and adjust your timing. *BONUS* Now that you understand how the timing light works, you can use it as a tool for locating an ignition miss as well. If the engine develops a miss at idle, just attach the inductive pick-up lead to each spark plug wire while the engine is running, and point the flashes at the palm of your hand. Watch them for each cylinder. You will eventually find one that skips the flash every so often. It should correspond with the miss you detected in the engine. If so, you have now found out which cylinder the problem is in. You just narrowed your diagnostics down by 7/8's. Check the plug for that cylinder, as well as the plug wire, etc. When you get really good, I'll teach you a really neat trick for disabling the cylinders one at a time, while running, without electricuting yourself. This is also helpful in finding a miss or a weak cylinder (power balance test). Just "good to know" stuff. Take care, -Chris __________________ Webmaster: Rice Haters Club Jim Porter Racing Peckerwoods Pit Stop Support Your Local RED & WHITE!