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When timing the '39 Six, I am confused as to 'which way to go'? Once the light shows TDC and one is looking for 6 to 7 degrees BTDC, which way should the distributor be turned?
When we timed mine, the guy helping me said it should be retarded and turned the distributor such that the engine slowed down and the TDC mark moved away to the left from the sight hole in the bell housing. Is this correct? I thought afterward, if we went the wrong way here, I would be 12 to 14 degrees out. So, my question: when showing TDC, should the engine speed up or slow down as 6-7 BTDC is achieved???

PN

Not 100% sure but if the engine is like the later 8s, the rotor rotation is counter clockwise. At any rate, moving the distributor against rotation will advance the timing and with the rotation will retard it.

Do you have any manuals or a Motor's manual for your car? If the harmonic balancer at the front is marked it might easier to manage timing. On the left side of the engine there will be pointer mounted above the balancer. :You will have to clean off the circumference of the balancer with steel wool or something to find the marks. Put a with dab of white paint at the mark you want to use and you are ready to go with the timing light.

Clear as mud?

Best

John Harley