Timing question 69 L71

[Lawrence S.]

So I am just now getting around to mapping the timing on my 69 L71 Roadster. Put the light on it and while idling at 800 RPM the timing mark is at 12 o'clock on the balancer. Not even close to where it is supposed to be. I have the vacuum advance plugged. The distributor is a Mallory tach drive uni-lite. I did not put that in it was in the car when I bought it. I do plan on putting an original TI distributor in the car.
My question is this, if the timing was out of phase 180* would the timing mark be as I have described or close?

The car actually runs pretty well. I just wanted frame of reference and map the timing.

Lawrence

[Michael B.]

Re: Timing question 69 L71

It is possible that the outer ring of the balancer has slipped. If you can see the keyway, it should be closely aligned with the timing mark.

[Charles C.]

Re: Timing question 69 L71

It may be that the timing light you are using is not compatible with the 1969 ignition system and you are getting a false reading. I do know that if you use a modern timing light o an early model car the readings are wrong. Hope this helps.

[Lawrence S.]

Re: Timing question 69 L71

I went ahead and found top dead center with the rotor pointing to number 1. The timing Mark on the balancer was at 0*. So I think the balancer is ok? I went ahead and ran the car up to 2500 rpm and checked the timing. It was at 44* which was consistent with my assumptions of the timing being to far advanced. I dropped it to 36* fully advanced and then tried to find static. The timing Mark was closer 0* with my dial back light at 12* but still could not get it dialed in. It looks like the timing is scattered at idle. Not sure what the issue is?
I used this same light on another L71 with TI ignition and had no problem. However this car has this Mallory unlite distributor. Not sure if it is compatible with my light or not?

[Jim D.]

Re: Timing question 69 L71

I've tried my "high tech" dial back timing light on a few cars with poor results. One is my 65 with TI using the new updated, multi-spark amplifier card and another was a car with a Pertronix 3 distributor. The timing readings were all over the place. I had to break out my 45 year old Sears/Penske timing light to get accurate readings.