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454 Reverse rotation Base Timing

  • Thread starter Andrew Heflebower
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A

Andrew Heflebower

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"Can anyone tell me the correc

"Can anyone tell me the correct base timing for my reverse 454? My standard is 10 degrees BTC. Both balancer are marked the same. Would that make it 10 degrees ATC?
I've been looking everywhere for the info, anyones input would be greatly appreciated!"
 
"it's still 10 deg BTDC, b

"it's still 10 deg BTDC, but the timing degree pointer bracket will be on the other side of the harmonic balancer."
 
look at the tranny end you wil

look at the tranny end you will see a rubber plug remove it and you will see a timing plate and a mark on the flywheel [very hard to see]line it upp and you all set.
 
"What I wrote is a bit confusi

"What I wrote is a bit confusing. The bracket didn't move, but the degrees do reverse. SO, yes, look at would be the 10 deg ATDC mark if it were a standard rotation engine. Still plug #1. Also, it's best to use a timing light at the fully advanced rpm, like 3000. Set it to 29/30 degrees, but you will need a timing light with an adjust knob on it. This way you also check the advance system. I've seen various issues here, including stuck weights, and even the wrong electronic modules used on the HEI systems."
 
"My timing bracket is on the s

"My timing bracket is on the same side on both engines. 1988 454, model 350's. I do believe the scale is different however."
 
"Thanks for the help! I used m

"Thanks for the help! I used my standard light to get it close enough to run, I'll have to get one with an advance adjustment. My bracket is on the same side as a standard, so I should have 10 degree ATC line on balancer, line up with 0 on the bracket? I've turned wrench for 16+ years, but am dumb struck on this reverse. First problem I had, was the distributor pick up was way outta adjustment. Corrected that, and the engine runs great and my distributors have been converted to electronic ignition. Have a hard start condition that tells me I am still off on timing."
 
"My old Harley's had a ret

"My old Harley's had a retard timing on the hand grip so that when you kicked it over, you did not meet the fuel head on and dislocate your knee.

MY Delco EST distributor ignition has a plug I have to switch to timing mode in order to accurately set timing. I never knew there is a timing light that can be adjusted to check advance."
 
"Andrew:

A cheaper alternat

"Andrew:

A cheaper alternate is to get a 'timing tape' from the auto parts store. They are sold by the diameter of your balancer. clean it up real good and they will stay on a long time.

When you go to put it on the reverse rotation engine, just put it on by wrapping it backwards.

Hook up the standard light and read the timing advance, off the tape, using the "0" point in the bracket. You can check full advance the same way and you don't have to worry about bumping the knob on the gun either.

The way they work is they get the RPM estimate based on the pulses coming in from the pickup. They then delay the flash by the amount indicated from the adjusting know (resistor). They work pretty well as long as the rpm is constant.

If you can't find a timing tape but have a protractor, you can just put two lines in the balancer for the initial timing and for full timing. We used good old "white out" in the area where the new mark would go and then took a straight edge and a sharp pencil to make the mark. It will last more than long enough to check it, adjust it, and then check it again. You can also use the white out to dab where the distributor body meets the manifold"
 
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