360 Timing Specs?

[robw13]

Does anyone know what the timing specs should be on a 5.9 360 mopar? Wanna check it and would a timing light be best?

 

[theman440]

Zero degrees @ idle

 

[WileE]

Determine true TDC, mark it, use a timing tape on you balancer, and of course, a timing light

 

[charger360]

really need to know more! is it stock? does it have a cam? if so how much cam? how much compression? many things affect the amount of timming an engine will need it is not one size fits all!

 

[robw13]

Stock engine & parts. Compresssion round 120.
What's the best way to check the timing? Tdc 1st then check dizzy to see if its pointing at #1?

 

[robw13]

I've got the dizzy at tdc but its pointing between 1 & 8. Down the middle. Do I need to unhook the vac adv before setting the timing?

 

[charger360]

you need a timing light to set it right. are you looking at the position of the rotor to see if it is between 1 and 8? if you are just looking to get it started for the first time you set it at tdc the back it up to about 10 btdc or so on the damper. then turn the distributer to where the rotor is aimed at the #1 post on the distributer cap. that should be close enough to get it started. now you get out a timing light and set it to about 8to 10 degrees btdc for something totally stock like yours.

 

[robw13]

Okay and had a typo, meant its pointing between 1 and 2. The balancer has three 0's for the timing marks.

 

[charger360]

on the balancer there is a deep groove that runs from one side to the other on all 360's that is the timing mark you go by. on the timing cover you will have tdc and 10degrees before tdc and 10 degrees after tdc. so to get you initial start up timing you need to find tdc on the firing stroke of cyl# 1 it will be once you get to tdc after the intake valve closes. then back up till you get to 10 degrees before tdc and you will be close enough to start now if your rotor is pointing at your#1 cylinder if not turn the distributer till it is then snug it enough that it will not turn on its own but you can still adjust it. start the engine and time it with a light if you want it to be right.

 

[robw13]

I can only turn the body of the dizzy, not the rotor button when it's 10 before tdc.

 

[charger360]

that is right, you are not supposed to turn the rotor button it is directly attached to the shaft that drives it. when you move the distributor body you are changing the timing. I take it you have never done this before?

 

[robw13]

Yep still learning

 

[charger360]

it takes a bit to understand why things do what they do but one day all the info will come together and it will make sense

 

[robw13]

Probly dumb question, do you unplug the line from the dizzy end or carb end and plug it?

 

[charger360]

vac adv? if so you can pull either end but plug the carb fitting

 

[robw13]

Yes vac adv., so just pull & plug it off the dizzy then start the timing process.

 

[sleepar]

It's not uncommon for the ballancer to shift or walk over time and make the mark seem like it is way off from where the distributor points like half way off looking at the ballancer it may not look spun. In any case where the ballancer is stock and over 20 years old I would replace it same for the hoses and seals they have an expiration date regardless of mileage.... power steering fluid usually over time separates the rubber from its counterparts

- - - Updated - - -

If there are open vacuum lines or defective modules it will cause a lean condition and if you're useing the original carb it needs it have all the lean burn system in place in 100% working order..... for best results a new distributor and coil and orange box a new harmonic ballancer for 360 external balance a double roller timing set and 4bbl carb and intake... bare minimum to get a 360 running that's all original.

- - - Updated - - -

Or you will have many old parts that are prone to fail and weren't that good when they were new.... anything that's 10 years old or older that controls spark fuel and timing is going to cause you to be under the hood and not behind the steering weel.

- - - Updated - - -

Some may recommend pouring and spraying stuff down the carb.... with an original ignition system is asking for a fire... if you can't fix it right so it starts with a key UN assisted something will be out and need to be adjusted or replaced and the factory stuff cannot be adjusted so it leaves one choice

 

[charger360]

Yes vac adv., so just pull & plug it off the dizzy then start the timing process.

I do believe I said plug the carb