[THEFERMANATOR]

You CANNOT set the timing cranking the engine over. There is spark advance built into the ignition module that starts ramping up around 3000 RPM's till 5000 RPM's. The other problem is there is a 6 degree timing advance during cranking until the engine has run for 5 seconds and has reached roughly 120 degrees. You do not need a test wheel to set timing. If you can get it up to 4500 or so on a trailer, that is ALOT better than setting cranking. Not setting the timing right is a GUARANTEED way to burn that engine up. It calls for 18 degrees, if you go over 19.5 degrees, it WILL melt a piston. Even so much as 19 degrees is playing with fire. Most who set these engines up set them to 17-18 at 6000 RPM's. you're better at 17 degrees than 19 degrees. But if you set it to low, it will foul out, carbon the rings up, then you'll stick a ring, and BYE BYE cylinder(some ran at 14 degrees, but they were jetted for it, had MONSTER carbs on them, and were meant to run at 5000+ for sustained periods of time). Get your timing set correctly before you go any furthur unless you want to be buying a new engine. You're playing with fire, and it WILL burn you here.