Setting initial timing and need to know where push-button starter leads go...
What year is your Duster?
He's got a '74 with 318
74 Duster (318) cranks, but no start. Need help.
Supersoap. When you go to set the initial timing.
1. disconnect the vacuum hose connecting to the distributor. Put a golf tee in the hose. This guarentees the vacuum advance is out of the picture.
2. Unless its about to die, let it warm up a bit on the fast idle and choke. Then kick it down.
3. Factory timing for a '74 applies IF the distributor is the actual original AND the engine is stock.
It should be on a sticker in the engine bay. Next place to check is the owners manual and finally the shop manual.
For 1973 (I dont have a '74) the initial timing for a Dodge 318 was to be TDC plus minus 2.5 degrees at 700 or 750 rpm.
Setting it at a lower rpm is generally OK. Setting it at a higher rpm can result in insufficient advance.
With an aftermarket or unknown distributor I would set the initial at 5 degrees BTDC, 700 to 750 rpm. Then later while driving, if you find the engine pings under moderate or high load, back off a couple degrees.
One more thing. The carburator may have a solenoid for the slow idle. If so, adjust the solenoid's position to adjust the slow idle.
