An old timer told me my timing light method was backwards

I was helping a friend with his classic Chevy in his garage last weekend. This retired mechanic, Frank, was there and watched me hook up the timing light. He just said, 'Kid, you're reading it wrong. The mark you're chasing is the one that stays still, not the one that moves.' I'd been doing it the opposite way for like two years, ever since I started. I always lined up the moving mark on the balancer with the static pointer. Felt pretty dumb, but I tried it his way. Sure enough, it was way easier to get a steady read, and the engine just sounded smoother after. Changed how I set timing on everything now. Has anyone else had a basic technique they were taught wrong from the start?

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3 Comments

brooke4845mo ago

Ever since I started" hits home... I learned to change oil without a new crush washer for years.

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jana_henderson525mo ago

Frank's tip is a game changer for sure. @brooke484 that oil thing is rough, reminds me of when I used the wrong size socket on drain plugs for ages lol.

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fox.jesse3mo ago

Man I've definitely reused crush washers way longer than I should have, probably saved like twelve cents but risked a whole lot more.

4