dizzy placement

[shot&drunk]

Lost my timing and can't seem to find it! Currently have motor firing 1 cyl on TDC 0. Reinstalling dizzy always seems to place the the rotor pointing before or after 1 - which I think is wrong for 2 reasons.

1. The way I remember it is that rotor should point directly at 1 (not before or after) and,

2. Neither placement enables the vehicles alarm. I believe correct placement enables it.

Q: Anyone experience not using 0/TDC EXACTLY on the 1 cyl fire point? Maybe a degree to the left or right? Appreciate all responses. Thanks.

[shot&drunk]

p.s. I failed to mention that the rotor doesn't point to 1 even when I turn the rotor via the spring.

[shot&drunk]

According to a post on this forum, I've created a problem for myself by setting O/TDC and should have used 10/BTDC when installing the dizzy.

Looking forward to others.

[Divied245]

Lets start by asking, How did you lose your timing?


You should have the #1 cyl at TDC on its COMPRESSION stroke. other wise you'll put the dizzy in 180 of where it needs to be. The when you put the dizzy in, it should actually end up slightly behind the #1 plug on the cap because the timing should be set at 6 degree before TDC once you have it running and slightly before number 1 on the cap would be that 6 degrees. if you set it 10 degrees Before TDC when installing you'll be ahead a tooth on the gear.

[shot&drunk]

Originally Posted by Divied245

Lets start by asking, How did you lose your timing?

You should have the #1 cyl at TDC on its COMPRESSION stroke. other wise you'll put the dizzy in 180 of where it needs to be. The when you put the dizzy in, it should actually end up slightly behind the #1 plug on the cap because the timing should be set at 6 degree before TDC once you have it running and slightly before number 1 on the cap would be that 6 degrees. if you set it 10 degrees Before TDC when installing you'll be ahead a tooth on the gear.

Thanks for your reply.

Lost the timing by pulling dizzy and didn't pay attention to positions.

Being 180 is not an issue here as I've I'd firing by pulling plug 1 and feeling it with my finger popping while hand cranking.

If I understand you correctly, I should have installed the dizzy with a reading of 6btdc instead of the 10btdc I used. And then looked for the rotor to point right before the 1 on the cap. Ok, I intend to give that a try however it is running well with it currently installed at 10btdc which leads me to ask another question (probably should start a new thread to address this one.)

Does anyone know how the smog emission will result when installing a dizzy 6btdc versus a 10btdc?

[Divied245]

Originally Posted by shot&drunk

If I understand you correctly, I should have installed the dizzy with a reading of 6btdc instead of the 10btdc I used. And then looked for the rotor to point right before the 1 on the cap.


Does anyone know how the smog emission will result when installing a dizzy 6btdc versus a 10btdc?

no, not exactly. Install the dizzy pointed at #1 when the engine is at TDC. then with a timing light set it to 6 or 10 or what ever it sounds it is running best at WITHOUT the vacuum advance hooked up. The smog is probably negligable. it will probably be worse the worse it sound when its running.

[shot&drunk]

Think I'm gonna start a new thread on this one because:
1. I Installed dizzy pointed to #1 with the engine at TDC and it didn't work
2. Then I read thread:
Distributor install & Timing?

And proceeded to install dizzy with a value of 10btdc instead of the 0tdc and it worked.
3. Then I read your posting instructing me to 0tdc

I'm hoping a new thread might invite more information. Plus I'd like to read some more regarding just how 10btdc vs 0tdc effects smog emission.

Thanks for your replys.