Starting, ignition timing question

[66clow]

I recently replaced my intake gasket. Truck was fine drove home from the shop i worked at. Went out today and truck started fine but cut off since it wasn't warmed up. But went to start again and it wouldn't kick over. Sounding like it is not getting a spark. I'm getting gas.I found the bolt loosened on the distributor that locks it down. Thinking the timing moved, how do I line things back up to make sure timing is right. Thanks

[yuccales]

Timing light would help. But, if you don't have one, clean off the grime around the intake where the distributor drops in and maybe you can see if someone made a chisel mark on the intake & distributor base that line up. Or have someone crank the engine over while you move the distributor a bit till it fires. Good luck.

[franken]

Assuming no light...
I think the vacuum can is normally about midway between the engine and firewall. Once it runs you can time by ear for smoothest, fastest idle. Once there, see how it starts. A slow crank means its a bit too advanced. I don't recall which dir is more advance or retard, but best guess is advance is clockwise.
You can get real close doing the above.

[66clow]

Originally Posted by yuccales

Timing light would help. But, if you don't have one, clean off the grime around the intake where the distributor drops in and maybe you can see if someone made a chisel mark on the intake & distributor base that line up. Or have someone crank the engine over while you move the distributor a bit till it fires. Good luck.

I do have a light, so I can hook it up and see it as it cranks?

[bill3rail]

Just turn the distributor while cranking until she starts, then adjust properly.

This is the quickest way to do it.

Bill

[garyd1961]

You can zero your timing mark on your balancer and set your rotor button facing the #1 plug on the cap. This should get you started. I would try what bill said first though.