Hi guys, posting for the first time here. My wife is asking me to adjust timing on her beloved '65 122. I have no clue how its done on these cars. On my corolla I point the timing light to the crank pulley and move the distributor until the notch on the pully matches the 0 degree mark on the pully bracket. I don't see any such thing on this car.

Can someone please point me to a detailed procedure written up anywhere, the Haynes manual is too confusing. She also has an updated electronic iginition system so I don't know if the procedure differs ? Also, do I need any special tools for the job besides the timing light ?

Thanks

Thanks a lot guys! I'll check out the timing marks...the just seems so old to me when I think it was built in 1965 I'm surprised that its very much like the engines of today without the electronic crap in it. Which makes me wonder how long have the gas engines been around and have remained practically unchanged in their basic function etc.

As for what the need is for adjusting the timing ? actually the car sometimes diesels (keeps running after turning the ignition off). We changed the spark plugs, filter, cleaned the carb etc so I suggested to her that maybe the timing is off...

It also hesitates and feels like it'll die if you took the foot off the accelerator, when the engine is cold but i guess that doesn't have anything to do with the timing.

Anyway, thanks again, I'm sure I will be back for more advice and more importantly help as the poor car needs it :)

R.

The timing mark on the timing cover looks like a tall skinny nose cast
into it.

I normally set my timing to about 20° BTDC on all of mine and it works
great. I DON'T disconnect the vacuum to do this because it affects the
idle speed too much - the 20° setting allows for the change made by
disconnecting the vacuum (if you have a vacuum advance/retard).
That way you don't have to reset the idle speed a couple times because
it is affected by disconnecting the vacuum.

BUT- if it runs better set somewhere else, by all means set it where
it runs the best!! It's your car, so set it the way you want it!
--
George Downs, The "original" Walrus3, Bartlesville, Oklahoma

The timing marks are on the inside of the pulley, closest to the engine. The timing mark is visible from the driver's side of the engine, at about 2 o'clock as seen from the front. If your timing light hunts around, you likely have points. When a timing gear goes, it makes a ton of noise and makes you think a rod is about to let go. Also, the timing may get way off at high RPM but appear OK at idle if the hub disconnects from the gear. Timing should be done with the vacuum line disconnected.
--
Justin 70 1800E, 66 122E
Read vclassics!
The 1800 is for sale!

First question I have is why does your wife think the timing needs to be adjusted?

But here is the procedure. I've never done it with an electronic ignition, though. First you need to clean off the outside edge of the lower fanbelt pulley. There are timing marks on there although if it hasn't been timed in awhile they are surely covered by grime. Also, you will need to find the timing mark on the timing cover. It is on the front close to the pulley, looking from the front of the engine it will be at about 10 oclock in reference to the pulley. To adjust the timing you will need a 7/16 wrench. I like to use a box end. Loosen the bolt under the distributor slightly. Start the engine and time it with small adjustments by rotating the distributor. I like to set the timing at about 15-18 degrees BTDC @ ~1000 rpm.

If you see the timing mark on the pulley jumping around you most likely have a failing timing gear.

Have fun,

Ron Tewksbury
1968 122s ?66K
1987 245DL 131K
1989 745GL 165K