• Hey Guest!
    British Car Forum has been supporting enthusiasts for over 25 years by providing a great place to share our love for British cars. You can support our efforts by upgrading your membership for less than the dues of most car clubs. There are some perks with a member upgrade!

    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Upgraded members don't see this banner, nor will you see the Google ads that appear on the site.)
Tips
Tips

4 degrees BTDC

???

What car? Many have timing marks on the front pulley. Turn the engine over in the normal direction of rotation (do not back up) and stop turning when the pointer and 4 degree BTDC mark line up.
 
Thanks, I have a 1958 TR3A. I found the mark on the pulley.

That mark (or hole actually), is at TDC. You use that mark to set the timing statically and then use the vernier on the distributor to get to 4 deg BTDC.
 
You rotate the engine in it's normal direction (clockwise as seen from the front) and stop when the timing mark is about 3/16" from the pointer.

Of course, that is but one step in the series of things you do to set the timing.

Among the things to do prior to this step is setting the points gap.

Also, bear in mind that the 4° static timing is merely a starting point -- the best timing for your engine will be set based on how it runs.
 
Back
Top