Amazon: Timing way off the marks

[old fart]

Thanks for all this.The first thing I tried was moving the leads round 1 position and the rotating the distributor the other way,but the oil cap fouled the block before it was in the right position.
I'll leave it as it is for now as it's running ok now,although it still doesn't like long hills.
Perhaps I'm expecting too much,as it goes like stink on the flat.

[Ron Kwas]

of; ...so do the operation one more 90 degree increment until an acceptable clearance position is achieved. Cheers

[hans2]

I had this exact issue last fall when first timing the B18. Using the pulley marks, timing ended up way too advanced. It appeared that #1 hit TDC before the pulley's 0 mark. I know someone had once removed the pulley to replace the timing gear. Doesn't the woodruff key prevent incorrect reinstallation?

[Derek UK]

Yes, the keyway fixes the orientation but the timing has to be set with #1 on TDC. Just guessing and matching the 0 to the pointer can make it 180º out. Due to the small number of teeth on the distributor drive gear, just having it positioned one tooth out will give a bit difference, Remember, that turning the distributor by 1º, changes the timing by 2º. Pity that the Bosch distributor doesn't have a screw vernier adjustment like the old Lucas ones. Morris Minor owners or ex owners will know what I mean.