- Last seen
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2020
- Thunderbird Year
- 1955
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So if I was using my mark as TDC and timing to 6° BTDC then I’m 12°BTDC???The circle on the damper pulley is TDC and every mark before that is 2 degrees before TDC.
(See attached)
doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue
OK on further review I didn't see the other marks to the left of the paint and had the rotation of the pully reversed. I'm surprised there is no pre-ignition advancing the timing that far.I agree and it looks like TDC is the one marked. Each other groove is is 2Deg before TDC.
Bought advanced timing light, set distributor to TDC #1, piston tdc, marks lined up to the deep mark. Set light to 7°BTDC and dialed in the timing.Yup
Previous owner marked it 6°BTDC
I thought that was TDC mark like we always did. So I added 6°BTDC to that mark, now I'm 12°BTDC w/87 octane no E fuel at 2600’ elevation. No pinging! Runs sweet!
Guess I’ll back off 5°
Thanks zeroroadkill. I found that my dwell angle was way off and reset the point gap. The car runs pretty well now but I'm sure the timing is off after making a significant change to the point gap. I'll throw the timing light on it and see what it shows me. The points have seen better days so I ordered some NOS motorcraft points.If you cannot find the tiny grove on the pulley you may need to determine TDC on the compression stroke on #1 cylinder and mark the pulley. Make sure you are TDC. You can pull #1 spark plug and carefully insert a screwdriver or piece of coat hanger to determine TDC or you can remove the valve cover and determine TDC when number one valve is closed both intake and exhaust. Your distributor should point to number one spark plug wire. Remember you can either be 180° out on the exhaust stroke or the compression stroke. Then look at the pulley to see if you can find the tiny little groove for TDC. Another way is to hook up your timing light and shine it on the pulley and if your car runs correctly, you should be close to 6° BDC and should be able to find the little groove. If you have an automatic. I had trouble finding mine.