Dave:
Here is something I want you and everyone else out there to think about.
The timing mark is located on the outer ring of the vibration dampener. I case you didn't know, the vibration dampener consists of two pieces of metal, the center hub that the crank pulley attaches to, and the outer ring that contains the timing mark. These two pieces of metal are bonded together with rubber, much like a motor mount. The outer metal ring is designed to rotationally flex back and forth in relation to the center hub to dampen out rotational vibrations in the crankshaft during engine operation.
In a perfect world, the rubber bond between the outer ring and the center hub never breaks. But in the real world, especially after 54 years of operation, it is possible for the rubber bond to break and the outer ring to shift in relationship to the center hub. Should this occur, the timing mark will no longer be positioned at Top Dead Center. Now, for example, if the outer ring of your vibration dampener has actually shifted, say 10 degrees in the retarded direction, so that the timing mark now represents 10 degrees ATDC, and you have set the timing mark to correspond with 15 degrees BTDC on the timing cover gauge, the actual ignition timing will be 5 degrees BTDC and the engine will not run as good as it should. Do you see where I am going with this?
Before you go any farther, I suggest you take steps to verify the integrity of our vibration dampener and verify the proper location of the timing mark in relation to TDC. I have heard of companies out there that rebuild vibration dampeners, but I don't know of any, off hand. While you are at it, also check the condition of your timing chain set.
That's my "two cents" for what its worth. Good Luck.
Chris the K MANIAC
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