Wondering if my timing indicator is wrong. My 70SS 350 seems to run better ATDC. My timing indicator has an "A" and an "R" on it. Im assuming they stand for "Advance" and "Retard." There is a Zero in the middle. If the zero is TDC, then my car seems to run better ATDC. If I set the timing below the zero, then the engine idles rough and backfires when I rev it. I can only advance the timing (turning distributor clockwise) so far because when I turn the distributor, the trans dipstick is in the way. The vacuum piece of the distributor hits the dipstick. Something is wrong. Gonna try and upload pics of the timing indicator. What am I doing wrong?

 

Pics of timing indicator

 

Did you check to make sure your "TDC" is really TDC as we discussed in your "stupid idle question" thread?

 

Turn the dist counterclockwise to advance. Havent seen many cars that run better retarded (unless you have NOS).

 

ok, think i misunderstood my motor. The zero is TDC. Now if I advance "towards" the "A" on the indicator, the mark on the moves towards the "A". That tells me, "if I had a timing tape," the 10 degree mark would be at the zero on the indicator. The marks on the indicator are in 2 degree increments. Thx for the replies