The timing depends on model and year. Try 8 degrees BTDC. It should run fine at that setting.
Top Dead Center
with no.1 cylinder at top dead center, line up the mark on the cam gear with the mark on the crank,and install the timing chain.
That would be the biggest and widest mark. Are the first mark on it when turning it clockwise to the pointer.
It is look like ruler with 0, 10, 20 number XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX The timing scale will have an "A" at the top and a "B" on the bottom. In the center is a "0". The "A" is for after top dead center. The "B" is for before top dead center. Each mark on the scale is 2 degrees. Timing is always set on before top dead center.
When timing the timing belt you use the mark for top dead center on the crank. To do that you will have to do a few different steps.
One is advance mark, one is retard mark, one is dead on mark.
4 degrees btc-before top dead center with the vacuum spark line disconnected.the timing mark location is on the harmonic balancer. this is for a 327 engine
what do you mean by change there is only one position for the timing mark and that t.d.c. top dead center
TDC, top dead center is when the number 1 piston is at the top of the cylinder. 8 degrees before TDC is where you set the distributor so that is when the spark plug fires. You use a timing light to set the distributor. There is a timing mark on the crankshaft pulley and a series of marks on the timing chain cover that will show where 8 degrees before is at. The timing mark on the pulley is a small notch in the edge of the pulley closest to the timing cover.
The cam gear is on top/ and the crank gear is on top. Both at 12:00.
Line the mark on the crank pulley up with the mark on the timing cover, and line the distributor rotor up with the mark on the pickup plate.
Initial timing is set by lining the rotor up with the mark on the pickup plate in the distributor with the crankshaft at #1 top dead center. The timing is then fine tuned to 0 degrees with a scan tool. It can not be done with a timing light.Initial timing is set by lining the rotor up with the mark on the pickup plate in the distributor with the crankshaft at #1 top dead center. The timing is then fine tuned to 0 degrees with a scan tool. It can not be done with a timing light.