Just finished my electronic conversion with the distributor still in the car. Connected everything, increased the plug gap to .045 and started it up. It ran fine, but I was under the impression that I had to change the timing as well. I have a timing light, but am not too sure about how to proceed. I know someone has some helpful advice!

Geoff

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Geo
1964 Dodge Dart GT
Ebay Purchase - $1569.00
Rebuilt transmission - $1700.00
PST Brake and suspension rebuild/shocks - $600
Fact that I have a long way to go - Priceless
This is begining to hurt!

You shouldn't have to change your timing at all. You may want to just double check your timing anyway, and possibly advance it a few degrees though.

(1) Connect your timing light to your battery and put the pickup lead on the #1 spark plug wire.

(2) start the car and let it warm up to idle. Then disconnect and plug the vacuum advance hose at the distributor.

(3) shine your timing light on the timing tab and see where your timing is set.

(4) if the timing is off, losen the holddown bolt and rotate the distributor clockwise to retard the timing and counterclockwise to advance it.

(5) tighten the holdown and reconnect the vacuum advance.

Drive!

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Casually looking for a Clifford hyperpak intake for cheap.

The distributor on your 64 has two adjustments also. If you can't get the timing where you want it by using the top bolt, there is another bolt on the bottom of the dist that gives you a few more degrees of adjustment.

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82 D150-225/727
02 Dakota-3.9/5 speed
87 GMC C7000-8.2 Detroit Diesel/5+2

Actually you better check your timing..............

When I installed my pertronix, the timing changed a bit....


The stock timing on a 64 is 2.5degrees BTDC.

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

also make sure that you bolt that unit down good and use the lock washer. I was running one and about two weeks later my car would randomly die because it came loose and was losing it's ground

You should always check your timing when you do anything to the ignition. Even regapping the plugs can change the timing by a degree or 2. Something as extensive as an electronic conversion is almost certain to affect the timing.

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.

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Casually looking for a Clifford hyperpak intake for cheap.

Thanks for all the advice. Without actually having the timing light in my posession, is there a setting I need to put it at? Do I just check it a idle? Do I need an external tach? Many questions.

_________________
Geo
1964 Dodge Dart GT
Ebay Purchase - $1569.00
Rebuilt transmission - $1700.00
PST Brake and suspension rebuild/shocks - $600
Fact that I have a long way to go - Priceless
This is begining to hurt!

You need the timng light to check your timng. Doing it by ear can cause some really screwed up results. The bolt on the botttom can be a pain to get to, so I made this homemade wrench. Simply heat up and bend a 7/16 box end wrench. I stick a screwdriver in the end to act as a T-handle.



You check your base timng at idle, just as Reed said. You don't need a tach unless you are figuring out advance curves (whole nother' chapter.)

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82 D150-225/727
02 Dakota-3.9/5 speed
87 GMC C7000-8.2 Detroit Diesel/5+2

It's possible to static time a points ignition with a simple 12v test light, but I don't know of any way to do that with an electronic ignition. A timing light is a necessity; you might be able to borrrow one at Auto Zone. If you buy one go ahead and spend the extra to get a dial-back unit; it's well worth it.

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.