Reply to "Engine timing with MSD iginition"

Denis,

You'll need to remove the engine cover behind the seats to access the front of the engine i.e. pulley and timing marker. Connect the timing light between the No. 1 plug wire and spark plug (facing the rear of the car its the front right cylinder), aim the light at the marker with the engine warm and idling and normally itiming is set with any vacuum advance disconnected and the pipe plugged. You can loosen the distributor clamp and rotate the distributor until you have the timing set where you want it. Mines set at 10 BTDC this way and I have another 21 degrees of combined vacuum/mechanical advance, for a total 31 degrees, which by others comments seems about right.

Others have indicated that the factory timing marks and pointer can be a ways off 'true'. If you want to go the whole hog and check a dial gauge would be required inserted into No.1 cylinder and hand turning the crank until the No.1 psiton hits its highest point and ensuring the pulley TDC marker aligns with the pointer.

George, has a simple recommendation to turn the distributor and set the timing where the engine idles at its highest. Personally, I found there were large degrees of turn in the distributor that didn't really make any distinguishable change to idle.

Good luck,
Julian