itsfishy
Well-Known Member
Those will definitely get me going. Thank you for the references.OK. I have no youtube auto people that I can suggest for solid basics and intro. The timing light will probably come with instructions. At least enough to hook it up. Like I mentioned there's an arrow on the inductive clamp and it goes on cylinder #1 spark plug wire. #1 is front left (driver's side) spark plug.
You'll want to look over the top of the light and aim it as best you can at the timing mark. The Harmonic damper is also marked. The strobe will make the marks appear to align or not. Without the dial back feature the balancer mark will line up with a timing mark on the case. That was fine for a factory engine for setting initial timing.
On a '70 up these will be on he left side on the timing cover.
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These only go to 10 degrees Before Top Dead Center. If the timing was set at 17* BTDC (which would be OK with that cam), or if its idling at 1000 rpm so its advanced to something more than 10*, the timing mark on the balancer will be off the scale (under the water pump). That's where timing tape or the dial back light comes into play. On the light use the arrow buttons to bring the timing mark on the balancer so it lines up with the zero on the timing cover.
I've actually seen instructions on this in factory service manuals, but unfortunately I do not think it was Dodge or Plymouth manual.
That said, there is ALOT of info in the service manuals.
www.mymopar.com has many up to '74 or so digitized for download free.
The also have the Master Technicians Conference in pdf and on you tube. It's not that advanced. The booklets and filmstrips range from basic to slightly advanced. These are also available at the Imperial Online Club but in a different format. What I like about their collection is the index with descriptions.
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So those should get you going. And guys here are willing to provide a hand on basics as well.
A person can learn how to do a lot of automotive work by rote.
As you handle things and do stuff, it becomes easier to understand the principles.
The reverese is also true. As you pick up on the principles, the things you are doing become easier to understand.
At least that's how it is for me. Everyone is different and may learn a bit differently.
I believe the car idles at 1000, but I'll need to pay more attention to that. I tend to watch it during a cold start and then not pay much attention to it after that - I'm usually watching the temp gauge by then.