[QUOTE="67Dart273, post: 1972929214, member: 1702
Timing light: Get busy on Craigslist and find a used one. YOU CAN SET timing fairly accurately IF YOU ARE CAREFUL the "static" method which used to be used on VW bugs
DO NOT GUESS on compression / firing stroke, do this: "Rig" something (I guess your finger doesn't reach) into the no1 plug hole to "feel" for compression. You can gut an old plug and put a fitting on there, buy a spark plug air fitting, or if you have a compression tester you are all set. Remove other plugs to make this easier
now with your test device, whatever you are using, in place, hand crank or "starter bump" the engine until you start to get compression. STOP!! Now revolve the crank by hand, until the timing marks are aligned NOT on TDC, but where you want timing set, say, 6BTC.
NOW rig a test lamp on the coil NEG wire, or disconnect dist. wire and rig a continuity device, light, meter, to the wire. Rotate dist. CW (retard) and make sure points are CLOSED. Slowly rotate dist. CCW (advanced) until points open JUST OPEN. Snug down the dist. and start the engine.
Before you do that, recheck is the rotor and dist cap in good condition? Clean/ dry, no metallic between contacts? As you replace the cap and without moving the engine --after static time--is the rotor "approaching" the no1
