Here's a question for you engine guys. Does anyone know an accurate and easy method for determining the exact TDC of an engine when it is fully assembled in the car. I'm guessing that the only way is to determine the travel through the #1 spark plug hole. Any suggestions and gadget help would be appreciated.
Here's the reason for the question. Inglese has been telling me to increase my timing for the Webers. They said that they need as much as the engine can stand. I was told the best way to determine this is to increase the timing a bit at a time until the car is fighting the starter. Then back it off a degree or two. Well according to my timing marks on the balancer, I am at 30 Degrees initial and it starts easily and quickly!!! The car actually runs better and I don't think there is any pinging with 18 degrees of mechanical (48 degrees total!!). This can't be right. My guess is that the timing marks are wrong. The other thing that I haven't checked yet is the fact that I am timing it at about 900 RPM. I have the weakest MSD springs in the MSD distributor. I am going to check to see if I am actually getting a bit of mechanical thrown in at that rpm. I'll try it down around 750 or so.
Any thoughts???
Zimmy
