Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines 235 timing and points gap?????

my 235 in my 54 truck is backfiring alot, i know the rochester might be a t fault but wanted to cover all the other stuff first to eliminate them. i have new points and condensor in the dist. and just set it with the blade of the old points in a rush but what gap do you guys recommend? also i'd like to set the timing. its a completly stock 235 what should the timing be at? are there any markings on the damper for TDC?

i pulled my plugs last night and they are all really really black, #6 being the worse

would a HEI or high voltage coil help burn excess gas any?

On the ignition side of the block trans cover you should see an opening with a steel pointer inserted in it. The timing mark is on the flywheel.It's a raised dot or dimple. Line the dot up with the pointer.That's TDC. I think the points are set at .016 for stock ignition.

Drew's correct; just set the points first.
If you have a 12V system, your in good shape.

With "black" plugs your probably running 'rich' etc.

Good luck.

yes it's a 12v system, what is the timing suppost to be set at though?

Set it so the ball is just visable on the advance side of the pointer.

An HEI system is only hlpfull (your engine) if you live/operate in 'freezing temps' etc.

Happy trails.

coolerthanethan,

Do you have a Chevrolet shop manual for your truck? The Old Online Chevy Manuals link accessible through The Stovebolt Page has them. This Shop Manual describes how to set the timing and points.

Your spark plugs will probably last longer with a good HEI system. The engine should start better in cold weather, as alluded to by John. However, when we had a morning with the temperature at minus 18 F in Missouri a few years ago (actually in 1985 - to me that is just a few years ago) , my car with an HEI would not start and my car with an old points and coil ignition did start.