Timing the engine

[mprokop87]

Any ideas on how to time the engine on a 76 Argosy 24'? I bought a new distributor because my old was is pretty gummed up. I know the whole timing procedure but the trick is getting to the timing marks. They are behind the power steering pump on the drivers side of the engine and its looking like that may have to come out. I am just wondering is anyone has had any luck doing it a different way.

[wxbuoy]

I have done it but how about a web cam or bore scope poked back there. I am going to have to do the same thing to look at the engine id plate on mine!

[Naper]

Turn the crank by hand until the timing marks are lined up. You might have to use a mirror. Mark the balancer and block with a tire crayon in a spot where you can see it. Think of it like moving the timing marks to a more convenient spot

[bkahler]

Motorhomes are timed from underneath. There should be a timing pointer plate bolted to the bottom side of the engine using the oil pan bolts. Probably on the drivers side. Also I believe you put the timing light cable that normally goes on the #1 cylinder on the #5 cylinder instead.

I'm not positive but I think the dampener should have an extra timing mark on it as well but I'm not sure about that.

See this thread: 454 timing

Brad

[AlbertF]

My first car had a small block Chevy. The timing marks were missing from the front cover, so I always adjusted the spark advance by increasing it until the pinging was more than I was comfortable with, and then backing it off. A little trial and error worked fine.

Of course, it had HEI ignition so the timing really didn't change much.

[jdalrymple]

An old mechanic put me on to using a vacuum gage.

I use to toy with GM big block powered jet boats. I just purchased an big easy to read simple vacuum gage at a parts house and hooked it to a port on the intake.

His suggestion was to advance the distributor until the gage maxed out and began to flutter, and then back the timing off to a stable reading.

It always seemed to work.


Regards,

JD

[mprokop87]

Thanks for all the advice! Brad I will look under the Argosy to see if there is anything for timing. I didn't see anything today but I looked quickly.

As far as the vacuum suggestion I will look into that as well as getting a scope, might have one at work. I was going to try using my cell phone to record a short clip but I don't want it to end up in a fan blade! That will be $600 lost!

[bkahler]

Matt,

Here is what you're looking for.



Not sure how hard these will be to find if you don't have them already. I grabbed these off of the 345 motor for use on my Argosy.

Brad