How do you time a gm 350 engine?

Answer 1

if its not running find TDC on the #1 clyinder, driver side first plug to front remove it, do this by having a friend tap the ignition with your finger or thumb over the hole you will feel pressure on the compression stroke, i use a thin screwdriver long enough not to fall in to help determine when I reach the top or at times i just back the motor up by pulling the belt to hit my mark, you may have to do it a few times just to get close,. Next pop off the distributor cap and the rotor should be inline with the #1 plug, if not pull the distributor up enough to be able to turn the rotor freely, and adjust it a tooth or two in the direction you need to go. This will give you a good base to set timing and the motor should start, Next is easy just set up your timing gun and turn the distributor to spec. Or you could back yard time it and have a friend hold the brake hard and lightly hit the gas as you adjust the distributor to a point when the motor makes most power and runs smoothly but I do not recommend it since bodily injury or death could result if you get run over.