Timing question.

Richie

Hi all, this might be a long post so I apologize. I hadn't done any kind of tuning on my recently purchased 53 Hornet, so today I decided to check a few things. Dwell was off, corrected that to 30 degrees. Next was the timing, and it is a mystery to me. I've never had a problem like this before. #1 spark plug wire goes to position of 5 o'clock in the cap. I put a timing light on the flywheel after marking the long line with a black marker. Vacuum line is disconnected and sealed, at idle there is no sign of any marks through the hole. I took another marker and marked a line about an inch before and after the long line on the flywheel. Start the engine and there still is no sign of any marks. I had #1 plug out and made sure #1 piston was at the top of compression stroke and the long timing line was lined up with the pointer and the rotor was pointing at #1 plug wire in the cap. Actually the rotor was about 1/4'' before the #1 wire contact point. I moved the dist both advance and retard to see if I could get the timing marks in the hole to show up, but the marks never came in sight. I noticed that when I advanced the dist. the RPM increased so I left it there for now. I took the car out to see what would happen and with the engine slightly cold I nailed it once I got an opening. Let me tell you, it will haul the mail. Any comments on why I can't see any timong marks is appreciated. Thanks, Richie. Again sorry about the long post.

Richie

Hi Ken, the number on that ledge is 5320746 with no letters. I was told by a guy at our local Hudson meet that it has a 55 or 56 intake manifold because of the internal vacuum equalizer tube. I know right now the timing is too far advanced as it turns over hard when it is warmed up, like the GM cars did back in the 60's they would grunt a half a turn then spin over and start. I guess I can just adjust it to where it runs the best for now. Thanks Ken, Richie.

[Deleted User]

You could also set it by vacume as describbed in a previous post. That would get you where you want to be,
Roger

Richie

Roger, that's what I'll probably end up doing, but I still want to know the reason I can't time it in the normal way. My other Hudsons can be timed normally. Thanks Roger, Richie.

[Deleted User]

You probably have a 55-56 block with short crank and spacer. With that flywheel, you will not be able to see the timing marks in the Stepdown timing window. The number you mentioned, you are looking at a casting number, not the serial number. That casting number is on the side of the block, not even close to where the serial number is, as stated earlier it is on the top surface of the ledge Is there a ledge on the upper left front part of the block just adjacent to where the head sits, with serial numbers on the upward facing surface? If you cannot figure out the location from my text, then hopefully the picture below will give you an idea of where to look.

Richie

Knnu, that is the place I got the number from, I'll try to attach a pic. Richie.

Richie

Here is a pic of the intake manifold, really not sure what year it is but was told it was a 55 or 56. Richie.

53jetman

Definitely a '55 or '56 block and manifold

Jerry

[Deleted User]

Yep, definitley a 55-56. That serial number is not a factory stamped number. It is probably a surplus block that was sold either by AMC or later thru JC Whitney. Someone stamped the number in later, for titling or DMV purposes. Anyway, that is why you cannot see the timing marks on the flywheel, as it is the AMC Hash flywheel with a 1/2" spacer adapter to be used in the older Stepdown bodies.

[Deleted User]

This new Classiccar format is horrid. You may remember me as KenU-TX. I cannot use my old user ID or email address, The new Classicar.com is a real piece of junk. Just to let you know why i haven't been in here for so long and why I had to use a new ID and email.

TwinH

The 55 308 in my 49 has some sort of adapter flywheel that makes up for the 1/2" and the
PO put a pointer on the balancer to check timing. Pilot bearing on mine is held in the flywheel with snap rings. There are timing marks on the flywheel but I've never tried to check them...

Richie

OK guys, thanks for all the great info. I appreciate that. Does this mean that this engine has hydraulic lifters?
The only way to accurately set the timing would be to take the head off and get #1 piston at top dead center on compression and then mark the crank pulley and make my own pointer.
The head gasket is leaking anyway so all this will fall in line. Again thanks very much guys for the help. Richie.