confused about setting base ka timing

[driftphenom]

Yes I searched. But when im confused, I like to hear it "from the horses mouth".

Anyway, I'm just about wrapped up with fixing my timing chain woes, and started to confuse myself.

Timing chains are all set up right, and i know that base timing is 20* BTDC. But what im wondering is: If the distributor is out, how do you know where to start hunting for timing? Does the dist. go in the same way regardless? I know that the button in the dist. needs to be over the no.1 cyl. But is that before or after you slide it in? Because it has a tendency to turn when you put it in.

I know Im just confusing myself. But it would be real nice if someone could give me a quick how-to/run through. Ive tried marking the dist. in the past, but it never seems to work.

P.S. I've got an fsm, but i dont have a consult tool. (like they call for).

As always, thx in advance for any help.

[aznpoopy]

20 degrees is standard ignition timing once the car is actually running. but it really has nothing to do with setting timing to get the car started. so there's no reason to get confused; forget about it entirely until the car actually runs and you're timing it with a gun.

setting timing here refers to getting the mechanical bits aligned properly with the spark bits.

doing this can be summed up in two simple steps
1) set the engine to TDC (i.e. ready to fire on #1 cylinder)
2) set distributor to fire on #1 cylinder

as for that dist question, after you slide it in. so you can't just line up the pin and stick it in. if you try this, you'll be a tooth off, making the car run rough and you won't be able to time it to 20 degrees. you need to rotate it about one tooth in the opposite spin direction, put it in, and let the spin motion align the pin.
kind of defeats the purpose of having it, but that's just how the car is.

[driftphenom]

word. so the button on the dist needs to bee over no.1 cyl AFTER the dist has been twisted in. correct?

[RunninMeBrokeS13]

Set cylinder 1 to TDC first. then put the dizzy in with the pin over cylinder 1 spark on the cap. i usually mark the dizzy with a white marker to give myself a good idea of where the outlet is on the cap, instead of eyeballing it.

you may need to give it a little wiggle to get the gear to drop into place.