Crank pulley markings

[40plyrod]

Does anybody have a picture of the degree markings on a 40 Plymouth crank pulley. It's raining here today and I thought I would spend the day and do a proper tune up on the 40, new plugs,points adjust the timing etc however I can see marks on the pulley but can't read them. I have spun the motor over to approximately TDC using a rod through the plug hole above #6 but the pointer is pointing to the start of the markings in that position. Is the pulley marked before and after TDC?

[Niel Hoback]

Yes, 0 (TDC) in the center and 10 degrees before and after.

[40plyrod]

Thanks that's what needed.Now how come with my timing light on it's flashing 1-1/2" away from any marks?

[40plyrod]

I think I have this fixed also, by undoing the clamp at the bottom of the dizzy and rotating it around a bit. Seems the flathead will run under any conditions (fuel and spark once in a while when ever)

[Niel Hoback]

  Your damper ring may have come loose from the hub. Deteriorated rubber will make it slip.

[40plyrod]

I don't think that there is rubber on this crank pulley. I also can't get the same vacuum as the service manual says but maybe that's due to my homemade intake or a worn out motor. It starts really easily. Here's a video of the vacuum gauge. 

 

[48ply1stcar]

Question:  Do you have a harmonic dampener or is your pulley all metal?  To find TDC you might want to disconnect to vacuum advance.  If you have a Dampener  make sure the rubber is not loose.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/129119984@N05/23132128141/in/album-72157663706545152/

Edited May 29, 2016 by 48ply1stcar

[40plyrod]

 Thanks, It looks to me like an all metal pulley.

[Don Coatney]

I see triple carburetors. Camshaft modifications too? Both will affect vacuum readings.

[40plyrod]

Oh this is a little embarrassing for me, fess up time!  Stock cam, untouched motor and I'm carrying 2 spare carbs.    They're Holley 94's and I couldn't get it to run well on all three so I blocked off the outside two. Maybe some day.

[DonaldSmith]

Speaking of dampeners - If the heavy damper is slipping on its flanged pulley, will it hurt anything, besides not giving an accurate timing indication?

I recently advanced my timing (counter-clockwise to advance) but the timing marks on the damper are way past the retarded range.

 

Here's a photo of my damper:  (For my power steering, I flipped the fan-water pump pulley, and added a p.s. pump pulley.) 

 

 

[Niel Hoback]

It won't hurt anything unless it flies off. Don't race the engine while standing in line with the fan.

[DonaldSmith]

Any horror tales of the damper flying off?  I suppose that it would have to be in pieces.

[greg g]

my dual carb set up runs at about 18 inches instead of the 20/1 that the manual say is normal.  You my have some vacuum leaks. Were it me I would remove the extra carbs make sure the manifold is blocked off correctly/completely, then do the vacuum test again.  If you are still low or have a shaky needle, continue to check for vacuum leaks with an unlit propane.  Idle will speed up or smooth torch or spray off WD 40 or similar where you think leak sources might be.  Idle will speed up or smooth with additional "Fuel" being sucked into the leak/s.

[40plyrod]

Thanks Greg, there could be some leaks I'll try that method out.