electronic ignition timing - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

rddaves54 · 04-18-2009, 09:22 AM

I put electronic ignition in the truck and I wanted to know to time the engine do I still need to plug up the vacuum hose?

Sinister · 04-18-2009, 09:46 AM

Yes.

rddaves54 · 04-18-2009, 12:15 PM

I am trying to time the engine but have discovered that the timing mark on the harmonic balancer is about two inches above the 8 degree mark and I cannot turn the distributor any more to the left because it hits the coil and the engine lift bracket.

Do I need to take distributor out and rotate it to the right to make the adjustment? Would this be something that would allow me to move the distributor enough to tiem it correctly?

Sinister · 04-18-2009, 12:24 PM

Sounds like you might be one tooth off. Get it to TDC, I use a remote starter switch to bump the starter, and pull the #1 spark plug to feel the compression, see if the balance mark lines up with your timing mark. You can also have someone bump the starter from the cab. Pull the cap and your rotor should be pointing at #1.You want to disconnect the power to the coil when you do it this way.
Then you can restab your distributor. You could probaly do it with out going to TDC, but I find it easier this way.

CSGAS · 04-18-2009, 01:29 PM

Who's electronic ignition did you use that has an external coil? I know there's a lot, just curious who your choice was.

rddaves54 · 04-18-2009, 04:58 PM

I did as you suggested and it was one tooth off. It starts great now and I was able to time it at 8 degrees. I just started the engine after taking engine out and replacing all the seals and gaskets and timing chain. It is running pretty good. I will put dual exhaust on after it comes back form painting.

I need to weld up the holes I think I am going to leave the molding off and just have two tone paint scheme silver on the bottom and blue on the top.

Pertronix electronic ignition is what I used. It seems to be doing really good. I was a little time consuming to put in because you have to make sure clearance is correct on the ring.

Sinister · 04-18-2009, 05:12 PM

Glad it worked out.

craig24671 · 04-18-2009, 05:18 PM

when you go from points, which the distributor is set at the 6:30 Position at tdc, the electronic must be set at the 5:30 position at tdc. Basically the rotor will be pointing at the number 1 plug

04-18-2009, 09:46 AM	#2
Sinister Between Trucks... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA. Posts: 3,830	Re: electronic ignition timing Yes. __________________ Beat it to fit, Paint it to match...

04-18-2009, 12:15 PM	#3
rddaves54 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Columbia SC Posts: 231	Re: electronic ignition timing I am trying to time the engine but have discovered that the timing mark on the harmonic balancer is about two inches above the 8 degree mark and I cannot turn the distributor any more to the left because it hits the coil and the engine lift bracket. Do I need to take distributor out and rotate it to the right to make the adjustment? Would this be something that would allow me to move the distributor enough to tiem it correctly? Attached Images

04-18-2009, 12:24 PM	#4
Sinister Between Trucks... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA. Posts: 3,830	Re: electronic ignition timing Sounds like you might be one tooth off. Get it to TDC, I use a remote starter switch to bump the starter, and pull the #1 spark plug to feel the compression, see if the balance mark lines up with your timing mark. You can also have someone bump the starter from the cab. Pull the cap and your rotor should be pointing at #1.You want to disconnect the power to the coil when you do it this way. Then you can restab your distributor. You could probaly do it with out going to TDC, but I find it easier this way. __________________ Beat it to fit, Paint it to match... Last edited by Sinister; 04-18-2009 at 12:25 PM.

04-18-2009, 01:29 PM	#5
CSGAS optomistic ah-so Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 544	Re: electronic ignition timing Who's electronic ignition did you use that has an external coil? I know there's a lot, just curious who your choice was. __________________ Rubbing is Racin' Ribbing is Bench Racin' 1970 C-10 lwb Fleetside. Originally 350 2-bbl 3-on-the-tree, m/b, m/w, m/s no a/c. Currently running on a '76 Camaro 305.

04-18-2009, 04:58 PM	#6
rddaves54 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Columbia SC Posts: 231	Re: electronic ignition timing I did as you suggested and it was one tooth off. It starts great now and I was able to time it at 8 degrees. I just started the engine after taking engine out and replacing all the seals and gaskets and timing chain. It is running pretty good. I will put dual exhaust on after it comes back form painting. I need to weld up the holes I think I am going to leave the molding off and just have two tone paint scheme silver on the bottom and blue on the top. Pertronix electronic ignition is what I used. It seems to be doing really good. I was a little time consuming to put in because you have to make sure clearance is correct on the ring.

04-18-2009, 09:22 AM	#1
rddaves54 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Columbia SC Posts: 231	electronic ignition timing I put electronic ignition in the truck and I wanted to know to time the engine do I still need to plug up the vacuum hose?

04-18-2009, 05:12 PM	#7
Sinister Between Trucks... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA. Posts: 3,830	Re: electronic ignition timing Glad it worked out. __________________ Beat it to fit, Paint it to match...

04-18-2009, 05:18 PM	#8
craig24671 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Overton,Texas Posts: 148	Re: electronic ignition timing when you go from points, which the distributor is set at the 6:30 Position at tdc, the electronic must be set at the 5:30 position at tdc. Basically the rotor will be pointing at the number 1 plug __________________ Spanky

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