Ignition Timing First Step: Before you EVER Touch the Timing Light

I fought an engine something terrible to get it timed before I learned this.
from many years ago, a big thank you to "cindys_sn95" who taught me this. wherever and whoever you are, you taught me a lot as a kid!
IF you guys are interested in hats, I have some in - a donation to the channel of at least 25 dollars receives a hat as a free gift, just to be sure to leave your address so I know where to send it to!!

[ThunderHead]

HELLO! I know its been awhile - sorry to let ya'll know I ain't dead just yet! :)
I do have TH289 hats back in inventory again, check the description above if interested.

[stevemcafee]

Welcome back Luke, Congratulations on getting married

[lucassnell]

THANK YOU for sharing your knowledge in a teaching way for us younger guys trying to get into classics and having not growing up in the 60s-70s and not knowing this knowledge. not a lot of guys around to share this knowledge. we are lucky to have youtube with guys like you to share!

[jeffjankiewicz]

Welcome back Luke. Congrats to you and Mrs. Thunderhead. May you have a wonderful and long life together. Stay safe, God Bless.

[AlfsMustangGarage]

You're very right when people swap around balancers and timing covers. Sometimes we forget that over 50 years, lots of hands touch these engines and you never really know the history.

[TheKeymaster]

Congrats on your wedding to your beautiful bride. My wonderful wife of 25 years hollered to me this afternoon that I had some mail in the mailbox. I yelled, "Is it from Ames, Iowa?" She said, "It sure is". YES, my hat is here! Great quality hat, Luke. I can give the ol' Vice Grip Garage hat a break and rock this one for a while. And great video as always. 👌

[flipeecupsstuff]

I love your Maverick! My buddy is daily driving a 75 Comet in Seattle causing all types of havoc on the streets! Thanks so much for these videos, you are a life saver. I've been battling a 327 in my LUV for some time now and these videos are getting me closer and closer to squaring it away. Keep wrenching!

[robertclymer]

Hi Luke! Nice to see you again. Congrats on your marriage sir. As you thanked Cindys-sn95, I want to give you a heart felt thank you for all you have taught me. I recurved my MSD, reestablished my TDC, set my timing with the dial back light (thanks for the link on that), tuned my new 750 4160 Holley with the vacuum gauge. The 460 bbf is a monster now! Blessings to you and the wife, cheers from Motown.

[laceylouloulou]

Last time I used a timing light was on my 1966 Chevelle. But I’m hooked on your videos and feel that I’ve learned a lot. Congrats on getting married and thanks for sharing the knowledge.

[streetbarnett]

Great Video!!! I have been meaning to adjust my timing on my '68 Chevelle Malibu (4door) and have been dreading the process of getting the engine at TDC, but I had no idea about this piston stop method! This will make my job soo much easier when adjusting my timing! Thanks for posting this video! It is a real help!

[UserName-lnol]

Keep the vidjas coming man, as a ford guy, you represent us ford guys better than anyone. Just you, the camera, and some old junkers, thats all it takes for me to click on er!!

[PaulCTownsend]

You sound just like my auto instructor in 1979 carburation and tune-up guy. Got a lot of respect for him You as well.

[SanDiegoRider]

Hey Luke. I want to thank you for this and all your vids. I recently found you and man, just in time! Im new at this and am currently trying to get a hotrodded 350 running right. Been a struggle so far, as im learning, but your content is helping. My car acts like timing is too advanced so Im about to go verify the rotor position and TDC. Maybe this time!..

[harrisonever]

Your tech videos are always so on point man. You have excellent delivery

[brianhatcher]

Hi Luke, I really appreciate your videos. I have learned a lot from you as I tune up my Jeep with a 258 (4.2) I6, Summit HEI and Weber 38. It has gone from sucking wind up hill to a veritable beast.

[flbartlett]

I'm helping a friend work on a recently purchased 77 El Camino that came with badly functioning FiTech EFI system. The fuel pump, filters, and fuel lines were not installed correctly. Kinked lines, incorrect pump and filter placement, bad grounds, wiring, etc. It's been interesting and educational, but all the while I keep telling my friend 'You know, a carburetor would be so much simpler'. He hasn't relented.. yet..

[dreamingcode]

My man. While u were gone i successfully fixed my brakes, timed my engine, tested for vacuum and adjusted my choke. Proud newbie here!

[DayInMontreal]

A long time ago you personally helped me with my Camry door light. Now you're gonna help me with my Winnebago (see image). Thank you for the good content and for trying to help people!

[stevenherrick]

Thanks Luke some of the simplest things are easily forgotten or overlooked finding true TDC is essential
before any tune especially with fords interchangeability when it comes to water pumps and timing locations
on specialty applications and putting a late model small block ford where its not supposed to be. Thanks
again you are clear and to the point with your vids and i appreciate that keep up the great work.

[chrisingle]

I agree on the timing. The vacuum advance was shot on my 57 Chevrolet 6 cylinder. Couldn't ever get to see the mark in the flywheel. Ran lousy with horrid gas mileage. New vac advance, points, and my OLD direct timing light made all the difference. Never touched the carb.