Confused on timing marks...

[teahead]

I see this:




ANd there's this diagram:




Can someone tell me which way is what?  The drawing doesn't show the pointer very clearly.

Going by the picture, say this was a LHD car, would ADVANCED (BTDC) be on the driver's side (if I was in the driver's seat) of that red mark?


Also, when I turn the crank and the distributor rotor is at exactly at the #1 position, is the pointer supposed to be EXACTLY at TDC?  Or will it be slightly retarded/advanced due to the timing adjustment (initial)?

[teahead]

Here's what's my issue...can't figure out what's what.

[Shvegel]

When viewed from the front of the car the crankshaft turns in a clockwise direction which means that the degrees to the right of the "0I0" point would indeed be advanced. 

[ja17]

Looks like your manual diagram is showing the early pointer ( trapezoid shape). You have the later pointer (triangular type). Notice your engine balancer has two timing scales. With the later triangular pointer the scale closest to the block is correct to use. Ignition points are installed and gapped prior to timing adjustment. The ignition distributor can now be turned to set the "static timing" spec. "0" or "0T" is the TDC (top dead center). Always turn the engine in the normal running rotation direction. The numbers before the "0" are "BTDC" (before top dead center) and after the "0" are "ATDC" (after top dead center). If you use a 12volt test light for static timing, with the ignition on the light will illuminate when the ignition points open. So using the static timing spec, turn the distributor so the light will go at the given spec. Setting the dwell, then timing with a light and the engine running is carried on next.

[Shvegel]

I am actually looking forward to spending some time getting mine running.  It used to be you spent a couple hours dialing in timing and carburetors, valve lash and head torque.  Everything now is so automated that you turn the key and it fires up.