Need help with engine problem

[Lynn]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: drdave69</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> From what I have read the timing should be 10 deg and I assume that is what the single line indicator is for. I do not know what the valve adjustment specs are for this engine. </div></div>

Other than Studebakers, I have never seen an engine with a single line that was anything other than to indicate tdc. Can someone with 502 experience shed some light on this? Did you get a spec sheet with the engine telling you where timing is set? Surely said spec sheet would tell you what the single line referenced. I am afraid you have zero initial advance. Guaranteed to run like it is tied to a tree. Do you have the distributor specs? Find out how much total advance (in crank degrees) is built into the distributor (not counting vac) and set the initial to give you a TOTAL OF 36. That should be good for starters. So... if you find the distributor has 28 degrees total cent. advance built in, set initial to 8 degrees. If it has 26 degrees built in, set initial to 10 degrees. Is this a GM crate motor? If so, I have a hard time believing you didn't get a spec sheet.

Is there a scale of any sort (i.e. one line on the damper, but a scale on the timing cover)? If not, and if you don't have a &quot;dial back&quot; timing light, you will need to approximate.