Timing after head gasket replacement

[fergarelli]

Hello All,
I replaced my head gasket and timing belt and finally got everything put back together and need to know what to do next. My manual says just tune according to the specifications, etc. But I didn't keep track of where the distributor was when I removed it. Should I re-set the distributor in some way and put the engine at the 0 TDC mark before trying to start the engine? I guess I just assumed the manual would give me more directions for re-installing the distributor. My car is a 76 but has had the conversion from points by the previous owner. Any thoughts about how to proceed would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[Nut124]

Manuals do not have the how-to for this as it is considered basic knowledge of car mechanics.

You will need an ignition timing light and a reliable TDC mark on the front crank pulley.

Rotate the crank CW until the cam timing marks line up and the crank is at TDC. This is about where #4 fires.

Remove distributor cover. Observe the numbering of the plug wires in the cover and locate #4 on the underside. Loosen the dizzy securing nut and rotate the dizzy in such a way that the rotor points to #4 electrode under the cover once the cover is installed. Make sure plug wire from #4 on the cover goes to #4.

If this puts the dizzy cover in a bad orientation, pull the dizzy out, off the gear and re-insert in a better orientation.

The dizzy should now provide spark to #4 at or near TDC. Make sure cover is secured in place tight before trying to start or rotor/cover can break.

Try starting. If it does not want to fire, turn the dizzy CCW or CW a bit and try again. Typically, the engine will like more advance rather than less in order to start, so turn to CCW first if it does not fire. Once it fires, get a timing light ready asap and adjust timing at idle to spec, typically 8-10 BTDC with the vac advance disconnected.

[tima01864]

What I found helpful finding #4. Mark the electrode #4 , Ruler to base mark it with a sharpie so that it can be seen with the cap in place.
Mark the distributor so the lines correspond, Then with the cap off eyeball the rotor or use the ruler to the mark on the distributor.

[fergarelli]

Very cool, thank you both very much for the detailed process. I have it set up and will try it this weekend when I get all the fluids back in the car. My only question was about the vacuum advance. How/where is that? Thanks again for the response, very helpful.

[Nut124]

The vacuum advance would is a little metal disk or can attached to the base of the dizzy. It has diaphragm inside and a hose nipple for a vacuum connection. The hose should be disconnected and plugged when setting ign advance at idle.

If the vac advance is working, rpm usually increases when the vac hose is connected and may need to be adjusted down. or, adjusted up when the hose is not connected, for the timing adjustment.

Not all dizzys have this.

[fergarelli]

Excellent, I'll look for that and give it a try this weekend. Much appreciated.