Tune Up Basics - Timing Marks

Ignition timing is the cornerstone of engine performance. Checking the timing marks for accuracy is the first step before you start swapping parts. Here's how.
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[@Fubar000]

Congratulations on making it to 100,000 subscribers. Well deserved.

[@1962pjb]

100K. Congratulations!

[@DayRider76]

I've been working on cars for over 30 years. But never to old to learn something!

[@DayRider76]

@@daveponder2754 So my wireless keyboard always missing letters and me not catching it, somehow enrages your inner dick head? I missed an o, go pound sand

[@renaissanceman4054]

Damn imagine that Tony, almost two yankee stadiums full of people liked your vids enough to subscribe

[@brandonshere3]

I know how to tuneup my car, still watched the video to see if there were any gems in there. Can't skip the wizardry from Uncle Tony man

[@dozer1642]

Think about it. 100-thousand subscribers. I feel like each video is like a one-on-one conversation with me. I think that’s the beauty of UTG. My dad taught me all of this when I was a kid. Back when our cars had points. This was just second nature for hotrodders that grew up in the 60’s. Sadly, it’s like which craft to kids today.

[@1notgilty]

Uncle Tony is THE MAN. I wish he taught an automotive tech class in my area. I'm sure thousands of us would sign up!

[@jacobsladdertreetech2829]

Really wish I would have hung out with my Dad in the shop when I was a kid. I could have learned so much. Thank you for taking on that role for all us!

[@sadwingsraging3044]

Congratulations on 100K. Maybe you will get a silver plated timing light with a Play Button trigger.

[@jamestaylor1078]

You know you have a successful KZbin channel when get over 100K subs. Congratulations 🎉👏

[@jeffcox3967]

I wish I had an Uncle Tony, thanks for the videos man, can’t tell you how much these have helped!

[@isellfoodstampz]

100K Congrats Uncle Tony and Uncle Cathy. Great video ideas right here, I'm learning a ton.

[@nickbonvino]

This guy is a wealth of knowledge!! Can’t wait to see next installment. I’ve been tuning Fords for 40 years and still learning from Tony!

[@Chazzz61]

Remember my uncle teaching me this 40 odd years ago came in handy many times !

[@jamespazuzuairsoft5369]

Building a powerful and reliable engine is like a joke...all about timing.

[@mostlypeacefulmisterputin]

And because all you can do is laugh when you’re done, and see your bank statement

[@rockymeyers4030]

I find it ironic that you speak so well, yet never graduated school. When I read your magazine articles years ago, I would have never guessed that you were weren't even 30, though you had old school knowledge . Helluva guy

[@Bartonovich52]

Just goes to show how good the public school system really is. I learned far more in real life than I did in school. An education only means you knew it once.

[@cjscottallen]

Bartonovich52 ok

[@MrTheHillfolk]

@@Bartonovich52 I remember as a kid about 9yo, my grandma pulled me out of school one day to go to this huge historic park. I'll never forget her twin sister telling me : you'll learn more with us today than in school. And I never forgot that , and she was totally right.

[@aaronfowler5477]

Rocky Meyers not sure if that sounded insulting or not lol

[@lb9gta307]

Adjustable timing lights are a wonderful thing

[@jvt1226]

Uncle Tony, you’re building a legion of very good mechanics.

[@chuckandjenbridges721]

Well, I just learned about dwell and timing. I had heard the term dwell before, but it would be like my saying DSLAM to someone not familiar with Telecommunications. I am learning more with every video and I thank Uncle Tony for sharing his experience and knowledge with us. So many other people hoard the information like it was their gold. Uncle Tony is a treasure. Every person new to classic cars, or even mechanics in general needs an Uncle Tony. Thank you.

[@paulcabezola3559]

Congratulations on getting to 100k subscribers !

[@swamprat9637]

Congratulations to the auto genius team of uncle tony and uncle Kathy for all the knowledge and wisdom that you have shared with us and for surpassing the amount of subscribers that willies olive gardening blog has its been a great road trip with the two of you Thank you hope the journey continues for many more miles

[@howabouthetruth2157]

I swear Tony, you and youtuber "Vintage Iron" ( I forgot his name ) are the best 2 teachers I've seen on all of youtube. All of the other classic engine builders on youtube assume their viewers "already know these details".

[@stephensaasen8589]

Reached around the frame of a twin cylinder Honda 175 trail / road bike to unwind a piece of fence wire from the front wheel. Bad idea. My forearm rested against one of the header pipes. It actually felt cold before I realized I was cooking my arm. I moved quick. That one hurt for awhile. That was almost 30 years ago but remember it like yesterday. I remember who the people I was riding with and exactly where I was at.

[@jefferyepstein9210]

I could use a good mechanic like Tony on my island

[@Bartonovich52]

It’s a ghost

[@steve19745]

hell work for cigarettes

[@ThomasJones-sz3sx]

It's pretty hot where ol' Jeff is now!

[@brandonwalker668]

Get your own chain smoker mechanic! He's mine!---!

[@dozer1642]

Hell of a grip that Hillary.

[@johngetman1816]

Congratulations on a tremendous victory General!200K is the next hill over.

[@raybrensike42]

As far as I am concerned, The car in the video represents the end of the real cars. They were spacious inside, had bench seats (most of them) and were a pleasure to drive. They were easy enough to get in and out of. They were made like a car should be. They were simple enough to work on, and they worked well.

[@SuperDryBeef]

Congrats on the 100k tony

[@dougevans9867]

I’m old school too. Teaching son and show him your vids to reinforce what he’s learning from me and other old dudes. Drive em like you find em. No frame off Resto here, keep it turn key ready.

[@josephtaverna1287]

Good evening Tony congratulations on your hundred thousand subscribers great video by the way teach a lot of the youngsters a lot of old tricks

[@fgrau7376]

Uncle Tony you make everything seem to easy I appreciate the plain language in explaining things. I consider myself an “oil change mechanic”. I do all the basics myself anything requiring a little bit more I bring to my mechanic but I’m starting to want to figure things out myself. I have a 44 Willys, 86 Cherokee and 87 Grand Wagoneer. Thanks for your videos

[@josephkutta599]

100 k ! Cant wait to see Tony smoking holding a big chrome plaque.

[@tyrssen1]

Thanks Uncle Tony; though I'm a geezer, I was never any great shakes as a mechanic (more of a painter/detailer, actually.) So I'm hangin' on to this, and look forward to the following episodes! Some day I'll have another circa-68, a real car complete with no damn computers.

[@jeffjankiewicz5100]

Congrats on hitting 100k! Outstanding!!

[@MikeBrown-ii3pt]

That looks like a nasty burn! Been there done that. I also set myself on fire once while laying under an old truck using a MIG welder! I'm a GM guy at heart but I secretly love all classics, I actually have a Lil Red and a 4x4 Warlock living in harmony with my square bodies. Don't tell anyone but I'm also building V-8 Ranger lol! I was pleasantly surprised to find that tach/dwell meters are still available new when my old faithful one gave up on me. I think I paid about the same price for the basic OBD II code reader from Harbor Freight as I did for my new meter. One other tool that I consider necessary for tune ups is a good compression tester. I also recently picked up a fancy new "dial back" timing light. I was playing with it in the garage today and one of my buddies stopped by for a beer. His son, who was with him, is a dealership tech. The boy had never even seen a timing light! He was very interested when I showed him how to use it. Maybe next time he's over I'll break out the tach/dwell meter on the dual point distributor in my Chevelle and really blow his mind!

[@jewllake]

Uncle Tony knows his stuff! I was removing the generator on my 64 Galaxie and I thought I had let it cool down enough. Barely touched the exhaust manifold with the back of my hand and it burned me good!

[@mojojojo3361]

This guys smart as hell .. my key to building old mopars !!!

[@Motor-City-Mike]

Keep it up UT! Glad to see you're passing on the knowledge to educate the "Newbies" to what was the every day for us. Aces Uncle Tony!

[@apatheticjesus4147]

Admit it, Uncle Kathy caught ya talking up the girls at the malt shop again. 🤣 This series is a great idea, thanks!👍

[@LightWaIker]

This is great Tony! See you tomorrow.

[@fastinradfordable]

When I had my euro car shop I once had a lady threaten me with a lawsuit because she believed a “tune up” should include an oil change. I hope she watches uncle Tony

[@jimbranham3281]

I came across my old dwell meter the other day and thought to myself man what an antique this is!

[@Welcometofacsistube]

Spent hours curbing the distributor and getting the timing on my 383 right. Night and day difference

[@DjDestinyChicago]

Congrats on 100K!!

[@dbeaumontresident847]

Been waiting for this video Tony! Congratulations on 100k Followers!

[@mikepantel6945]

A master explaining basics, while not talking down to you, Actually wants to teach, not real common these days. Well earned 100K subs! As others have commented, best on you tube!

[@aussiedazvk4djh889]

Very well explained. 😍

[@aussiedazvk4djh889]

@silverbird58 I'm on air from time to time.

[@daranleighton9813]

Congrats on 100k 🥳

[@jasont.1530]

Looking forward to this series!

[@johnlazar5596]

Awesome topic UTG! For us with the electronic Chrysler ignitions, a non-magnetic feeler gauge is a must for setting the air gap between the reluctor teeth and pick up coil. I've used a piece of 5/16" garden tractor fuel line, stuck the spark plug top in the hose, and started the plug in the head hole behind that steering rod on my S10 Blazer. I'm liking those black sweaters! Its almost like we are working together with the great topics you introduce. Thanks!

[@williamzoom]

Congrats on 100k Tony, well deserved!

[@konradfrancis2572]

Anything special planned for the 100k? Congrats btw

[@Iceman-px7zr]

Hey uncle Tony! I'm new to your channel.i just watch your video about the slant 6 and I gotta say your a badass.a guy I could sit around and talk cars and drink beer with.great work on videos bud!

[@LionHeart0808]

I've been waiting for a series of videos like this! Thanks for all the info. 👍

[@HammerHeadGarage]

Congrats guys on 100K. Proper tune ups are a big deal if you want an excellent running car. Things like timing, carb settings, points etc all critical doesnt matter the brand.

[@brianglade848]

Hi Uncle Tony, back in the 70s, to mess with my dad (for all the lawn mower dog shit), I put a shitload of marks all over the harmonic balancer,he could never get it timed right lol

[@Anthony-rv3hr]

Just found out you were part of MM&FF magazine - the 10 minute tune up was legendary. I still have that 89 GT I got almost 30 years ago. I'm re-igniting my interest in Foxs and been wrenching on it for a while now, I really wish you'd do more on those cars; things like fixing issues that we're running into now all these years later after time and hacks have taken their toll. The forums have too much mis-information to be worthwhile.

[@bradyhicks1381]

Made same tool for my 4.3s middle plug behind steering rod mint. I break the porcelain off the old plug helps giving myself I little more room. Changed plugs in neibors blazer and middle plug was still factory with 200 000 miles

[@danielleach2307]

A old guy that was a crew chief in as a racing Tim so derby showed me that trick on making sure the timing mark was correct so many people never new this trick cool you shared it

[@danielleach2307]

Thanks Tom

[@F6HemiCharger]

I’ve been looking for a 1970 Coronet sedan just like that one.

[@Ian-of9oi]

Congratulations on 100k. My condolences on burning your hand. That’s going to suck for weeks.

[@imskeptic1]

Good information, some things I didn't know. Thank you.

[@bandit7519]

congrats on the 100,000 subscribers I just found ur channel but great videos ur one hell of mechanic

[@thewholls7176]

Good old top dead centre.... Took me awhile to learn that timing mark trick when rebuilding motors in the old days....... you would never think they would make the set up such that those timing marks could ever possibly move on the harmonic balancer.......... but without the rubber it can’t do it’s job either..... If you’re rebuilding the motor dial gauge is better whilst you’ve got to head off........ and interestingly about once every 12 months if you check top dead centre with a screwdriver through the number one plughole nine times out of 10 it requires adjustment....... I remember my young guy feeling very shocked about that

[@TargaWheels]

I was just thinking about this a week ago. Except I would measure total circumference, split it in half and mark 180, then split that 180 in half into 90, and on and on until I have single marks in the first 35 or so. Because over the years I've run across engines that people have mixed timing covers and dampers and some never lined up. Thanks for doing this video Tony!! 👍

[@pre1980cars]

I knew you would get 100,000 subs quickly

[@Moparmaga-1]

Just in case anyone with a fuel injected 3.9 5.2 5.9 magnum engine in its typical home (ram, dakota, Durango, Cherokee) A timing light is useless. If you pull the distributor,,make sure that you index the distributor where you can see it well enough to put it back exactly or you'll be off on your fuel sync. That's a scan tool fix, not a cheap code reader fix. I found out the hard way by ASSUMING. but I was the only ass. Only good thing now is I know that engine & it's components like...something I know. Good vid uncle tony

[@elidames6889]

That pause when he mentioned tools was actually violent flashbacks of having to "make something work" on a really cold day. I know that face anywhere

[@tomjoadism]

Man!!! Really looking forward to this series!!!

[@gasratzcustoms]

Very good basics for general tune ups. Great tech tips!

[@01trsmar]

Congratulations on hitting 100,000 subscribers!!!! I also like this series!!! **I once got a burn on my forehead from my exhaust.. I looked like a damn idiot,that's not saying much nonetheless!!

[@johnfrese4851]

to be honest I am use to first gen style of fuel injection that chevy used all the way to 05 as well as dodge the throttle body injection as well as fords as well. I am still learning how to tune a carb and that style of ignition as well. it is a learning curve because I am I admit that I am learning on the carb setup. it is not my strong part but guys like your self I do admit learned from the most part

[@bdogjr7779]

Awesome Uncle Tony《☆》Makes sense about the timing marks on the damper being inaccurate as the rubber deteriorates🤓☻🤠🍭🇺🇸

[@rodgerbrown235]

Great grass roots video, cheers from NZ 👍

[@gmjunky87]

Love the new series! thanks!

[@Chris-nq6cm]

Cant wait for the ignition timing video I am tuning a custom EFI setup, it may give me a better idea with the timing table

[@mattwiltfong374]

Congrats on 100k subscribers

[@loganshotrod4x464]

I built a 440 with a mish mash of parts when I was a kid & I asked my shop teacher how to set timing on something like that; he told me to disconnect vacuum advance, start the engine, hook up a vacuum gauge & advance the timing until maximum manifold vacuum is reached... then back off the timing until vacuum is cut back 5 hg to allow for centrifugal & vacuum advance... it worked & that’s how I set most of my cars... not sure if anyone would advise against it, but I’m all ears...

[@shootthemoon6072]

That's what I love about KZbin; you can peer over the shoulders of masters, and break their balls when they do or say something stupid. 🤣😂🤣

[@UnityMotorSportsGarage]

Great Video... I couldn't begin to tell you how many outer rings I have seen spun... People wonder why they cant get their engine running right!

[@jesus_built_my_hotrod]

I fucking love this channel. Thank you Tony.

[@fordtechlife]

Timing is a good base line, but then, i like to bump it up tell she pings a little under hard load, then bump it back just a little, good stuff uncle tony you the Man 🇺🇸💯🔧🚘👍🔴🇺🇸

[@thymekiller]

thanks for posting this. Good work and congrats on your channel growth.

[@mikeaze423]

Great and awesome video man

[@graybeardproductions2597]

This comes in handy keeping the 300 Ford hauling wood and parts

[@kevinmcguire3715]

I have enjoyed this show on timing! I have been using "Whiteout" typewriter's correction fluid for timing marks for years . It is cheaper than buying paint ,holds up well and is readily available at CVS ,riteaid and walgreens and has a nice little brush in the cap.

[@ant_yep]

Thank you Tony! Thank you! And please take care of that battle wound

[@jessupblackmoore1600]

awesome video. theres so much about timing that most have no clue about. would love to see an advanced video explaining timing curves and the difernces/ advantages of having a modified timing curve

[@bigdangles6451]

Thanks Uncle Tony!

[@StoneColdStrah]

I like your videos...lucky i found that you have videos on spark plugs and timing marks because im in school for auto mechanic/technician and we are on the unit that talks about ignition

[@waywardtrucker6624]

Thanks Uncle Tony

[@GoldenLink87]

Dam good advice for any one... wish id heard of this years ago. Also dont forget to mention to check that they are on the compression stroke when marking there dampner 👍

[@bccev770]

100K Subs well I knew that was gonna happen from day one, anyway I'm just a wood worker but this timing stuff is good to know. And congrats to you and Cathy.

[@mikepoint4983]

100 k UNCLE , RIGHT ON !! Great explanation on the damper . Cheers

[@44hawk28]

If you do a video on how to phase a distributor. I've done it in the past on 60s and 70s Chrysler products but I haven't seen anybody talk about that in years. It was the easiest way to get more power and fuel mileage especially on a big block Chryslers that I have ever done. It also makes it a lot easier to trim the carburetor.

[@grantw.whitwam9948]

I had a friend with a 425 Olds engine that had that problem. I knew it was off so I just ear timed it, it worked well that way.

[@blairberg1081]

Congrats 100k

[@joro8604]

Best video ever.

[@cuda70gt7]

I had a chevy and no matter what i could not set the timing. It ran better when the timing was way off. I then discovered the balancer had seperated and shifted. I replaced it with a fluidamper and made the oem dampner into an engine cranking tool.

[@stuckinmygarage6220]

I "dwell" on all things Uncle Tony!👍😉

[@MrBluoct]

Speaking of timing... Triple zeros... subscribers And no dwell meter required ! 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘