VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 1928 Engine Timing Mark

Is there any timing mark on the flywheel? I'm seeing a single hole that doesn't seems to be in the correct location. There is also a spike visable sticking down from the housing... is this supposed to be a referance mark?? So far I have just timed my engine by ear.... Maxie.

Yes, there is a timing mark on the flywheel, assuming the flywheel has never been removed and reinstalled incorrectly. The flywheel can be mounted in any of 6 positions. Take the bottom cover off the flywheel housing, find the timing mark, paint it with white paint. Now when you look through the hole with the pointer you can easily find the timing mark. If you are using a 12-volt timing light it will be necessary to use a 12 volt source to operate it. The 6-volt battery on the car will not operate most timing lights.

Ray, The flywheel has not been reemoved on this ending. Is the mark that should be painted a milled notch that swings by the pointer pin mounted on the flywheel case?

You are looking for the 25 mark on the flywheel. It is 25 degrees right of the U/C timing mark. If you take your finger and dip it in the white paint and rub across the line and 25 the paint will fill the depression and makes it real easy to see through the hole in the bell housing with the pointer.

This becomes a two man job when timing with a light. The hole is on the drivers side and the distributor is on the passenger side. That is unless you have very long arms.

Or a piece of tape on the timing light trigger, a clamp (or more tape) and mirror. Makes it a one person job.

"This becomes a two man job when timing with a light. The hole is on the drivers side and the distributor is on the passenger side. That is unless you have very long arms."

Ray!

Are you sure of this? Both of my '28 vehicles and the '27 I used to own have the timing mark window opening and pointer on the passenger side of the Clutch/flywheel housing. Where I have a problem in setting the timing with a light is that the exhaust take down pipe obstructs the view of the hole/pointer.

Yes, the peephole is on the passenger side. Be sure to keep your forehead away from those distributor wires while peeking in the hole or you might be in for a nasty surprise.

Timing by ear is the best way to go in my opinion.

-R

I have a '28 engine in my boneyard. I just checked it and the timing hole and pointer are on the passenger side. No room for a timing hole and pointer on the driver's side since the starter is on the driver's side on this engine.

Interestingly enough, from 1929 thru 1932, the timing hole and pointer were on the driver's side making it very hard to time the car alone since the distributor was on the passenger side.

By the way, this '28 engine is for sale if anyone is interested.

You guys are great!!! I had to put a shortcut on my PC at work to keep up with you allllll. My peep hole is on the passenger side as well. I will crawl under there this weekend with white paint and all and do the dirty deed with the timing light to see if I can smooth it out a bit. I will let you all know how she sounds. Thanks to you all!! Maxie!
Its been a good noight at the Closson's.