Timming

[KB9GIB]

Thanks for any information in advance. When I build the 440 I did not degree the cam. I have seen where some say you should drop the distributor in 10 to 12 degrees before top dead center. would this work with out degreing the cam. And if so what effect would it have? Thanks KB9GIB southern Illinois

 

[BeepBeepRR]

I have always brought up number 1 piston to tdc then drop in the distributor in with the rotor pointing to number 1 on the cap. Get the car running then use a timing light. I don't think I have ever heard of dropping it in already advanced.

 

[Don Frelier]

Either way, you can put the rotor just past the #1 post and it will be advanced.
Don't forget distributor rotates counter clockwise.
Another way is to leave the plugs out and time it by running the starter to spin the engine.
Just don't let a bunch of fuel get introduced when doing this.

 

[davek]

I have always brought up number 1 piston to tdc then drop in the distributor in with the rotor pointing to number 1 on the cap. Get the car running then use a timing light. I don't think I have ever heard of dropping it in already advanced.

Thats how I have always done it.

 

[MoparLeo]

What else did you do when you "build(t)" your engine ? Is it all stock ? Any cam, piston, head mods ?

 

[KB9GIB]

The 440 is 40 over 509 cam aluminum intake stock heads with appropriate valve springs. I was just reading about dropping the distributor in at 10 to 12° advance just was curious on advantage it would be. I’m running in my 69 GTX Thanks KB9GIB

 

[69L48Z27]

It’s not going to hurt anything but it’s not nessecary to be that precise. How the others advised is good.

 

[Crackedback]

Probably going to want 18-20* or more to run right at idle.

 

[MoparLeo]

The Mopar distributor is not like a Chevy. The gear driving shaft is in the oil pump and the distributor shaft ends in a flat blade, like a standard screw driver. Once the oil pump drive is installed you can only install it correctly or 180 degrees off. You will have to adjust the timing after you install the distributor into the oil pump drive slot. At 4:35 of video distributor is installed. Just curious, what is a 509 cam ? Lift ? What about duration ? Lobe separation ? More info, better answers.

 

[KB9GIB]

I think everyone for their information. the cam is comp cam 509 lift 292 duration. Thanks again KB9GIB

 

[MoparLeo]

Your going to need a lot of gear and initial advance.

 

[wyrmrider]

I always install with initial timing
you do have to have a rough idea how much advance is built into the distributor to avoid over advancing
on a big block getting the pump-shaft and gear in is the big first step as the slot rotates as the gear is installed- think it through
then you want the slot so the advance canister is not hitting on anything
sometimes you have to move the plug wires around- which may be in a different direction if you are used to working on other engines
best to number the cylinders MOPAR style and put some numbers on the wires
I can remember when I was in 7th grade on my paper route some of my older friends from scouts had a new olds in their 40 ford
lots of backfires and flames out the carb
I had them take the cap off and put the car in gear and push it- the distributor rotation was backward from what they were expecting
Then we figured out where #1 was and the firing order and cylinder numbering scheme- no manual
showed them how to find the compression stroke with their thumb and found TDC with a probe and checked the timing pointer on the dampner- it was wrong
installed the dist about 10 degrees advanced and showed them the balancer rotating up to our new coathanger pointer
Hit the starter and fired right up
after that I got to hang out with the older guys
same drill you have to do