[Roadsters] Timing issue

[Ronnie Day]

Getting back to basics, with a points type distributor you have to set
the point gap before you adjust the timing. I don't remember the gap
or the dwell adjustments, but setting the gap using a regular business
card should get you pretty close. Changing the point gap moves the
timing and If the point gap is way off it'll be hard , if not
impossible, to set the timing.

FWIW,
Ron

I used to have all of these number readily available in my head, but
it's been a LONG time

>> First, I'm not much of a mechanic. Keep that in mind while you read.
>>
>> After doing some various maintenance on the roadster last week (including
>> plugs, points, condensor, and tach cable seal), my timing got way out of
>> whack. The car was running great before.
>> I had the motor and transmission reworked 4-5 years ago, and
> embarrassingly,
>> I've never messed with the timing. So... we got the timing adjusted, but it
>> had to be moved to the extent of its adjustment. I'm not sure if it is full
>> advanced or retard, but either way, it's got no more. The group helping me,
>> came to the conclusion that the distributor is off a tooth.
>> So...How does this happen. One..Did the mechanic who did my engine work
>> several years ago put it back together like that? or Two...Did something
> else
>> happen to allow the distributor to jump a tooth?
>> Remember, I'm not much of a mechanic. Sorry if this belongs in the stupid
>> question dept.
>> Second part, do I just go through the motions of re-setting the
> distributor,
>> or is there something else I need to be concerned about? The car is running
>> great since we adjusted the timing.