Re: timing mark

["T. D. Dapper" <tdapper@value.net>]

ken coates wrote:
> 
> I have recently installed a Bosch 009 distributor and am finding it
> difficult to get the best timing point. Instructions from the dealer were
> to time at the normal timing mark but the car hardly runs at this point
> and I have been experimenting ever since.
> Does anyone have any suggestion.
> Vehicle is 1973 Squareback auto
> 
> Thanks.
> Ken.

The 009 distributor is difficult to time.  Since the distributor is 
capable of 27 degrees of advance, you need to set it at about three 
degrees, for anything above 30 degrees full advance is wrong for a near 
stock engine.  Of course, there is no three degree mark, so all you can 
do is estimate.  There are thirty lobes on the pulley, so from a valley 
to the top of a lobe is 6 degrees.  If tdc is in the center of a valley, 
thirty degrees is at the top of the third lobe.  Use a timing light to 
check the advance at high RPM to see that is is not higher than 30 
degrees.

Tim Dapper