Timing marks?

The timing marks are on the front of the engine. You need to remove the bulkhead cover to time the engine.
However Mr.Pence has a method of using a vacuum gauge and just turning the distributor.

It does work very well and really eliminates the need to use a timing light.

He has written the procedure in a couple of threads of which I don't remember the topic.

Perhaps if he reads this he can give you the link to the thread.

Danny,

with the motor warmed up to normal operating temp, and idling in the driveway, all vacuum connections connected to the distributor, slowly twist the distributor in the advance direction. As you do so the idle speed shall increase. Keep twisting slowly until the idle speed just reaches the point where it no longer increases, this is the ideal ignition advance for idle. This setting will also result in the highest intake manifold vacuum, and can be set with a vacuum gauge just as accurately as a tachometer.

This can be a problem with high compression motors, making them hard for the starter motor to crank, but with your cobra jet motor it is not a concern.

Low speed power, throttle response, drivability will all improve. Your motor will also have less of a tendency to overheat when idling (more heat being converted to work, less heat load on the cooling system).

give it a try

George

George,

Does it work on a mechanical advance only distributor?

quote:

Originally posted by cat7195:
...Does it work on a mechanical advance only distributor...

Yes

Thanks. I previously printed out George's timing procedure and will attempt. I would like to double-check with a timing light. I assumed the porthole in the bellhousing was for timing with a light in lieu of timing from the front. What could the marks possibly be for? They appear static when you hit them with the light.

My car has timing marks on the flywheel thru the bellhousing also. Just compare it with the front, next time you don't have to remove the bulkhead to check.