Timing

SURE YOU CAN USE THE FLYWHEEL! JUST MOUNT A POINTER AIMED AT THE FLYWHEEL, AND THEN MARK THE FLYWHEEL REFERENCED TO #1 CYLINDER AT TOP DEAD CENTER, THEN FIND YOUR TIMING MARK, SUCH AS 16 DEGREES BEFORE TOP DEAD CENTER, (THE DEGREE MARKINGS WILL BE MUCH FARTHER APART BECAUSE THE FLYWHEEL IS A GREATER DIAMETER). OFCOURSE YOU WILL FIRE YOUR TIMING LIGHT OFF OF THE #1 SPARK PLUG WIRE, AS ALWAYS! THE ONLY THING THAT WILL BE DIFFERENT, IS THE FLYWHEEL WILL BE TURNING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION; AS YOU LOOK AT IT. WORKS SAME AS A "CRANK TRIGGERED" IGNITION, ONLY AT THE OTHER END OF THE CRANKSHAFT. REGARDS, MARLIN.

[This message has been edited by MARLIN JACK (edited 06-30-2002).]

Marlin is correct- the flywheel can be so marked. This was quitea popular mod in the '80s. Be clever about it & mark the flywheel for TDC & advance for cylinder #4 at the rear of the engine so its more convenient to hook up your timing light. Sadly, once you do get the timing checked via flywheel, you'll still have to access the front of the engine to release the distributor clamp bolt & turn the distributor body for adjustments.

Jack's right, you will still need to access the front of the motor to adjust the timing via the distributor. What I've done is modify an MSD crank trigger wheel to mount on my aluminum flywheel and locate the magnetic pick-up on the tranny bellhousing. Now all timing is adjustable from the engine bay, plus the timing remains stable even as my damn bronze distributor gear wears out! (I still have to phase the distributor once per gear change, though). This modification requires access to a milling machine & rotary table, along with a bunch of time to fabricate the bracketry, modify the pressure plate housing and what-not, not to mention the aluminum flywheel (non-magnetic material required to mount the magnets). It is a vary trick set-up though, even with all the time and money invested. If anyone out there is interested, I can provide more info.

Good Luck

Craig