Need timing help

[71valiant]

I picked up a 68 Valiant with a 225 Saturday. I've been out of the game for awhile. I noticed the timing tab only has a hole in it for 0 setting. The notch in the dampener with the timing light on it sits about three inches to the left of the 0 at idle. These need to be lined up at idle correct? The car has been equipped with electronic ignition fyi.

 

[71valiant]

Anyone?

 

[RedFish]

If the hole you mention is more like a little piece of tubing it is was a holder for the special timing pick up on a diagnostic machine. You should have a timing scale there somewhere also. Maybe whoever installed a later model engine left the timing scale off,
but no the mark shouldn't line up with the hole with your timing light.

 

[71valiant]

Had to scrape off the tab. I found the marks. Where exactly does the mark on the crank need to be *degree* on the tab at idle? I keep getting a rough idle and an intermittent ping from the exhaust.

 

[RedFish]

With spark advance disconnected and plugged. 6 to 10 degrees before top dead center.

 

[71valiant]

So it needs to read between the 5 and 10 marks on the lower part of the tab correct?

 

[BillGrissom]

Yes, the marks to align with are on the lower part of the tab since the crank turns cw (viewed from the front). Many people increase the timing to ~20 deg BTDC. That can give better gas mileage and performance. With your improved ignition, you might be able to run a leaner idle mixture and increased timing. To measure greater than the 10 deg mark on the tab, you need an adjustable timing light. I got a digital one recently for ~$25, either ebay or Amazon (forgot). If you have an MSD ignition, that messes up some timing lights.

 

[71valiant]

It has a Petronix setup. I set the timing at close to 10*. But I still keep getting the ping. I put a screwdriver on one of the header tubes and it definitely coming from the exhaust valve. Valve lash maybe need set?