Trying to set timing

Hi TotalMC,

Loosen the distributor again and try to restart. If it starts, then check where your timing is with it loose. Then tighten the distributor again and make sure the timing is still the same before you turn the engine off.

What I have found over the years is when you tighten the distributor it will actually move it and you may have to just a bit to close to the tipping point of not starting. It will keep running but will not restart.

What do you have the base timing set to?

Pretty sure the distributor never moved (had a reference point with the angle of the cap and plug wires against the firewall), but I did try moving it around a bit and still couldn't get it to start.

I think I was around 6 to 8 degrees BTDC. then my timing light fell off the fender and ceased to work.

Okay. 6-8 BTDC is right where it should be per the spec (assuming you have 2 barrel 350). However, this spec if on an engine that assumes all else is running properly. You have an engine that is almost 45 years old. I would bump up the timing to about 10-12 degrees. Restart the engine and see how it runs. When older engines like this, I would use the spec as a starting point then let the engine tell you where it should be. This means it has a rolling idle that is very smooth. The fact that you had a stumble at idle, could be the carburetor tuning or could be because your timing was a little low.

If all you did was move the timing and now it won't start, then I would advance or retard, just to get it started then set it as stated above. Don't get hung up on setting it the spec because as an engine wears it will need to be adjusted.

Let me know what you find when you move the timing just to get it started and if you have other issues after that.

Thanks for the information.If it makes a difference it has got a supposedly rebuilt Holley 600 CFM.

Couldn't get it to restart as much as I tried (after setting it the first time , and it seemed to be running and starting fine - then after sitting for five minutes , nothing). could something else have crapped out in between that time?

Spray some starter fluid down the carburetor. I wounder if you have a fuel issue. You just need three things for this car to start, fuel, spark, and compression. Assuming the compression is not the issue since it was just running well. Spark could still be an issue but if it was starting and running fine and you didn't change anything, now it won't start, it sounds like a potential fuel issue.

Also, check your choke setting on the carburetor. If it is electronic choke, it should be closed but if it is mechanical and it hung open, then you are getting too much air on a cold start.

If it won't start right now, just pull the air cleaner off and look at the choke before you do anything else. You have to remove this anyway to spray some starter fluid in the carburetor but if you see the choke is open, then close and see if it starts. Point is, just do one thing at a time. We want to know if it is a choke issue or a fuel issue. If you close the choke (assuming it is open) and spray starter fluid we won't know which it was.

Thought fuel already and sprayed starter fluid, would not start. had good fuel pressure , too. That's what's got me stumped. all I can think of is something in that Mallory went. May replace with a new ignition system, distributor, coil, wires and plugs.

Okay. I would agree. You can just pull a plug out and keep the wire attached and hold the plug electrode against the engine block. See if it is firing. If not, you are right on it.