I've tried to set my timing by ear periodically over the last few months, and i never seem to get it quite right. there are a couple things im not clear on, do you disconnect & plug both of the hoses at the distributor or at the metal pipes that come around from the passenger side of the valve cover? do you need to plug both? & also when i turn the distributor clockwise to advance the timing, the idle goes down, does that mean that clockwise is actually retarding the timing? how would i know if the distributor rotor is on the wrong tooth? is that possible if the car is running? so many questions, any help is appreciated.

 

buy a timing light

 

cap both

clockwise = advance

too far advanced OR retarded will give you a bad idle

rotor has no teeth... if its on, its on right just dont pull the whole distributor out unless you know what you are doing...

make sure your carb is adjusted correctly and that you are free of any vac leaks before trying to set timing.

buy a timing light, they are really easy to use, even is cheapo is better than your ear.

make sure to search before posting.

 

Impossible.....get a timing light or a Flak jacket.....Sooner or later you are going to need one or the other when attempting to time that thing by "ear"......