Life Is All About Timing - Static Timing a Small/Big Block Chevy

Back when I was in high school (and after) I was the go-to guy for firing up motors. whenever a buddy would finish a swap I would get a call. I would set up the distributor, run the plug wires, and tune the carb if needed. They would supply the beer!

That's how I've been timing my engines for decades. Fun to see you showing how it's done, teaching the novice builders out there. Nice job!

Good ol’ Chevys so easy to work on , so many interchangeable parts and much cheaper to buy . Long live the V8’s

Instead of using the sparkplug for static timing which is good, my father taught me to use a light bulb like a turn signal bulb which has wires soldered to it with alligator clips, key on, engine set to required degree, turn distributor way before TDC , then turn the distributor slowly till the light just turns on then tighten the distributor nut and your done. Best static timing I know of.

DAN you have the voice of a great teacher. You explain HOW, WHEN, WHERE, and WHY That MAKES A GREAT VIDEO BECAUSE YOU ARE JUST TALKING TO ME. Even though thousands are watching.

this is a good tutorial for people who want to know how to set up about any vehicles timing, that was some of the first things i learned about cars as a kid, my neighbor, he had me helping him in his shop tear down build engines, he would use a special tool for oil pumps, i didnt have much money so i tore apart a points distributor and ground down the teeth off the gear to prime oil pumps with my drill, i soon figured out it could be also be used as shaft slot locating tool for installing the distributors. its always nice to have guidance from people who can teach in a way that anyone could understand it.

Thanks Dan for going a little more in depth on these last few videos, I’m learning quite a bit from this.👍🏻

Hi Dan! I remember my Dad timing the car very similar to how you did it. No piston stops, no ballons etc. I myself have used the finger over plug hole and a wad of paper that would blow out like a bullet. Good memories and good old school tech. Thanks for sharing.

Distributor install tip, once you establish the interface between the cam gear and the distributor gear your timing is established. You can slowly rotate the engine without disturbing the timing until the distributor drops onto the oil pump shaft; It’s so simple but most people don’t realize it, good Video Dan! 😎

Hey Dan, that's how I did it but, I always set the rotor pointing at the number 1 cyclinder and number 1on the cap. It's same, same but that's the way I did it. Can't wait till you take the first ride. Good job.

Thanks Dan for the video. Although most of us learned timing a while ago, a lot of the younger crowd relies on how to videos for everything so someone has to make the simple but important videos.

Suck, squish, BANG, blow.... Timing IS everything, so true for life in general! This process Dan explains, works perfectly. I've been doing 1st starts like this for YEARS... Chevy, Dodge, Ford, anything. Its worked for me every time, without fuss.

Thank you very much Dan, I was always confused about how to mess with the timing. But you explained that very clearly and I appreciate that. I'm just getting into doing motor stuff myself on my own car and my mechanic never explained timing to me that easy , I guess he didn't want me doing it lol. Now thanks to you explaining it like that I know how to do it. Keep up the great work and God Bless you guys. 🔥💯💪🏼👍👍🙏🙏✌😊✌

@DD Speedshop...I always have clocked the HEI distributors so the square box terminal part is 90* from crank center...keeps wiring away from the back of the carb and vacumn lines accessible...your way of course will run fine...great channel Dan and Dani

your explanation and setup of timing is by far the best i've seen and i will be using your method to try and get my sbc firing. thanks

OMG thanks for your video, after fighting to get my timing right on my race car for a day. Came across your video and had the dang thing started in minutes. Thanks much.

You are a hell of an instructor your one hell of an explained !! TEACHER I LOVE IT I LOVE IT!!!

Thanks Dan, Another great video. We need all the young car guys to understand what’s going on here.

Not dead wrong 100 spot on!! I’m usually in to big of a hurry and done it a million times. I’ve even been a complete hack and just moved the plug wires around one terminal. 😂🤘🏻

Great video Dan. Thanks for sharing. Your definitely getting closer to it being road worthy do we all can pile in and go cruising 😂😂😂 be safe and see you on the next one. 👍😎✌️