Timing

[Red76]

First thanks to everyone for the help in my prior topic. Now that its "running" there are other issues. Thought it would need a new topic.
First I know setting the timing before I get the new cap & rotor in could be useless. But when they do arrive how in the heck do you use the timing light with the battery in the trunk? I went and bought a timing light just for my Spider and there is no way it will reach. Is it ok to make some extensions or is there something I'm just not noticing?

[mdrburchette]

You just need a 12v supply and a ground. Maybe an alternator stud or somewher on the starter?

[manoa matt]

Yep, clip the red lead to the large rear stud on the alternator, then the black lead to the ground pod on the drivers side inner fender. Inductive pickup on #4 wire.

Although your 76 may have the alternator on the exhaust side, watch out for the wires around the belts.

[digitech]

You can also just clip to the bat + term. on the coil, it's right there.

[LSprad]

if I'm correct connect the red wire to the b+ on the coil, it should be a blue/stripe black wire, then the ground to the hood latch. Connect to the number One spark plug There should be three (3) marks on the belt guard. the one at the lowest mark should be 0 TDC.When you point the light towards the marks you should see the lines on crank and belt guard, during that time turn you distributor to line up during the flashing of the light. Don't forget to first loosen the distributor enought just to barely turn it. good luck

[maytag]

if I'm correct connect the red wire to the b+ on the coil, it should be a blue/stripe black wire, then the ground to the hood latch. Connect to the number One spark plug There should be three (3) marks on the belt guard. the one at the lowest mark should be 0 TDC.When you point the light towards the marks you should see the lines on crank and belt guard, during that time turn you distributor to line up during the flashing of the light. Don't forget to first loosen the distributor enought just to barely turn it. good luck

Dunno about yours, but the hood latch on my '76 is not grounded. it is mounted with a rubber backer, I assume to damp vibration? but not to be picky; there are many, many good grounds under the hood, of course. And also many 12v+, as others have pointed-out.

And as a tangent: I hope you bought a timing light with an advance dial on it? This sure helps in determining advance curves, and can make your initital / static timing job a lot easier too, of you're setting to anything other than 0.

[131]

Connect to the number One spark plug

Number 4, you can't check cam timing otherwise!