Timing an AMC 360

[Lister]

My father-in-law and I got talking about timing and such tonight so we went out to check out my truck. Seems the TDC and degree markings for timing can only be seen from underneath the vehicle. Great Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley Moogley? What a PITA. Any clues as to why this? (81 Cherokee)

He has worked around cars all his life (mostly cadillacs) and was quite put-off by this.

[AMX factor]

Actually they are meant to be viewed when standing on the passenger side and looking over the alternator and ac pump. The timing guage is cast into the top of the timing cover

[1BAD401]

It's tuff to see on 360/401s, get some carb cleaner and spray the balancer off and use some brite paint on the timing line. Maybe some brite finger nail polish or something like that. You should see it from the top than!!!!! :D

[ September 28, 2003, 10:04 PM: Message edited by: 1BAD401 ]

[Hammer]

I always clean off the timing mark, then fill it with white out. I then take a black felt tip and make sure you only see the mark itself, and not where you got the white out all over the rest of the balancer ;)
With AC it is hard to see the timing marks on the cover. I like to clean those off and paint them as well. I also like to paint 0° TDC one color, then the 5°, 10° etc a second color. Or you could just put one mark where you want it to be and make it all easy.

[NomadJack]

When rebuilding mine I painted the engine with black enamel and painted the timing mark, and all the lettering with white. It's pretty easy to see considering you have to have the angle of your head and timing light just right. It is a poor design, but workable.

[will e]

I just use that timing mark to get an intial timing anyway. After that, I drive it and see if it pings with a load. If it does, I back off the timing, if it doesn't I advance until it does (and then back off).

After doing my timing cover a couple of weeks ago and resetting my timing I still go some ping if I pressed the gas a little more at 60 MPH. I put some 89octane it the truck for a wheeling trip and noticed the ping was gone.

[Hammer]

Will e, that sounds more like issues with your vacuum advance rather then initial timing.