Probably a stupid question, but how exactly do you check the timing on a 1979 318cid?
Dodgevanman
12-30-2005, 05:04 PM
Hook a timing light up to no. 1 cylinder (driver's side front plug), unplug the vacuum hose going to the vacuum advance on the distributor..plug the hose, and then shine the light down on the timing tab on timing cover (driver's side). If you can't see the notch in the harmonic balancer, bring the engine up to TDC no. 1 cyl. on compression stroke. You should see a notch coming up to line up with the ZERO (0) on the timing tab. Take a little white-out and mark the notch.
impuresoul2k3
12-30-2005, 05:12 PM
Hmmm, what if I don't have a timing tab. My grandpa came down and was going to make sure it was in time, but he couldn't find it.
Speed Dragon
12-30-2005, 10:21 PM
Should be part of the timing cover itself, you should see a ledge under the water pump on the driver's side with timing marks on it. Sometimes they are hard to see if it's greasy.
impuresoul2k3
12-30-2005, 10:56 PM
oh ok, I'll go degrease it tomorrow then. And I've been backfiring through the carb lately, so should I try adjusting the timing negative or positive?
Speed Dragon
01-01-2006, 11:22 AM
Sounds like it needs advancing, usually it will spark knock if it's got to much timing. It's backfiring when you step on the gas or trying to start it?
impuresoul2k3
01-01-2006, 04:08 PM
when I step on the gas, sometimes it only does it on WOT other times its just when starting from a stop, and just barely touching the pedal.
