Frank Acampora
Supreme Mariner
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2007
- Messages
- 12,004
This subject has come up a couple of times recently so here is the way to set up the old 3 and 4 cylinder Chrysler engines with Motorola distributor ignition:
If the engine has an electric eye (Electronic) distributor there is no preliminary step. If the distributor has points they must first be cleaned and set to .014 open for three cylinder models and .010 for four cylinder models. If the linkage has been removed, set the plastic blocks on the adjustment about 1/2 inch apart.
The carbs must be set to fully closed AND adjusted so they open fully at wide open throttle--See sticky for synching carbs and timing.
NOW: set the flywheel to top dead center and check that the piston is actually at top dead center by probing through the top plug hole and rocking the flywheel.
Loosen the distributor. Take the distributor pulley and set it so the scribed line on top matches the curve of the flywheel and the straight line points directly at it. Tighten the distributor belt. Set the belt tension. When pressed in the center with a .010 feeler gauge used like a finger, the belt should deflect about 1/8 to 3/16 inch before the feeler gauge bends. CAUTION! Setting the belt too tight will cause shifting problems--difficulty going into gear or coming out of gear.
Now, since the ignition can be energised without cranking the engine you can static time it. Remove and ground all plugs so the engine can not accidentally start. Top plug is #1.
Turn on the ignition key, put the engine in full forward gear,wide open throttle, and rotate the flywheel slowly by hand. As the 36 degree mark comes up to the block pointer watch for spark on #1. IF the pointer has a large line and four smaller lines to the left of it, the large line is 36 degrees before top dead center. If the pointer has a single line and the flywheel has a decal, set the 32 degree mark to the pointer line.
Adjust the distributor linkage screw so when #1 sparks, the flywheel mark aligns with the fourth small pointer line to the left of the large line or the single 32 degree line on the pointer. This is 32 degrees BTDC. Screwing together retards timing and farther apart advances timing. Typically, the plastic blocks will be between 3/16 and 1/2 inch apart.
That's it.
Timing is now set and synchronized with the carbs.
After setting timing adjust the idle speed to 700-750 RPM in the water in forward gear. Adjust by using the idle stop screw on the timing tower. (seen in the first photo below the carb cam linkage)
Note that the second (center) photo shows a pointer with a single line and a decal on the flywheel. The scribed lines on the distributor pulley are NOT lined up with the flywheel because it is at 32 degrees BTDC.
If the engine has an electric eye (Electronic) distributor there is no preliminary step. If the distributor has points they must first be cleaned and set to .014 open for three cylinder models and .010 for four cylinder models. If the linkage has been removed, set the plastic blocks on the adjustment about 1/2 inch apart.
The carbs must be set to fully closed AND adjusted so they open fully at wide open throttle--See sticky for synching carbs and timing.
NOW: set the flywheel to top dead center and check that the piston is actually at top dead center by probing through the top plug hole and rocking the flywheel.
Loosen the distributor. Take the distributor pulley and set it so the scribed line on top matches the curve of the flywheel and the straight line points directly at it. Tighten the distributor belt. Set the belt tension. When pressed in the center with a .010 feeler gauge used like a finger, the belt should deflect about 1/8 to 3/16 inch before the feeler gauge bends. CAUTION! Setting the belt too tight will cause shifting problems--difficulty going into gear or coming out of gear.
Now, since the ignition can be energised without cranking the engine you can static time it. Remove and ground all plugs so the engine can not accidentally start. Top plug is #1.
Turn on the ignition key, put the engine in full forward gear,wide open throttle, and rotate the flywheel slowly by hand. As the 36 degree mark comes up to the block pointer watch for spark on #1. IF the pointer has a large line and four smaller lines to the left of it, the large line is 36 degrees before top dead center. If the pointer has a single line and the flywheel has a decal, set the 32 degree mark to the pointer line.
Adjust the distributor linkage screw so when #1 sparks, the flywheel mark aligns with the fourth small pointer line to the left of the large line or the single 32 degree line on the pointer. This is 32 degrees BTDC. Screwing together retards timing and farther apart advances timing. Typically, the plastic blocks will be between 3/16 and 1/2 inch apart.
That's it.
Timing is now set and synchronized with the carbs.After setting timing adjust the idle speed to 700-750 RPM in the water in forward gear. Adjust by using the idle stop screw on the timing tower. (seen in the first photo below the carb cam linkage)
Note that the second (center) photo shows a pointer with a single line and a decal on the flywheel. The scribed lines on the distributor pulley are NOT lined up with the flywheel because it is at 32 degrees BTDC.