Re: Looking for a timing Authority... Re '39 Six

Posted by Packard Newbie On 2016/12/26 12:54:26

Thank you to all who responded. I believe I now have a clear path forward to 'get it right'.

Re the idle speed comments, I asked this because it is hard to see the timing marks on the flywheel when using a light. They may be marked with some indication as to BTDC or ATDC, or with a '+'or '-', but I can't see them, and wanted some positive way of knowing which way was retarding and which way was advancing the engine. From the comments received, this is now perfectly clear.

I was surprised by the ambiguity on this question; I asked my 90 year old Dad, who was a real car buff back in his day, and he said 'retard', as did a couple of other folks whose opinions I respected. The retired licensed mechanic obviously agreed with 'retard' as this is what he did when setting the timing and, at the end of the day, this could end up being my whole problem on the car stalling. Also, I remember when seeing mechanics time engines when I was a kid, and the engine always seemed to slow down when the correct setting was achieved, so that seemed to endorse the 'retard' vote. I am not yet wanting to do handsprings or anything, but do feel I have uncovered a glaring error that just MIGHT be the solution to a very long standing problem!! Thanks again.