I checked the timing on my '56 312 the other day before putting it up for the winter.  It was showing 30 deg. retarded, i advanced it but it wouldnt come anywhere near TDC. I checked the dist. plate and it isnt stuck. i am thinking the balancer has slipped any other ideas would be appreciated.  The engine starts and runs fine  Carl  Ohio

If it was retarded 30 degrees it would not run well at all. Any chance you had the pick-up for the timing lite on the wrong plug lead?

One cylinder late would make it just about right at 30 degrees after.

Kenneth

Fredricksburg, Texas

No 1 cylinder is on the right (passenger) front - make sure you had the lead on the correct wire.

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Yes i had the light on #1,i also checked #6 which if i am thinking right should be about the same degree as #1 and it was retarded about the same as #1.the only thing i can think of is the balancer has slipped.i am taking the engine down this winter so should be able to tell then 

Carl.  With the damper at TDC, check the rocker arms on #1 and #6 cylinders.  They should all be level.  If you find any of the rockers not level, then a slipped damper is on the top of the list.  If you find one rocker down more than its mate, then slightly rotate the engine one direction or the other until both valves are level again and remark the damper at that point for ‘TDC’.  Scale from the new TDC mark the same amount as the number of degrees on the original mark and retime the engine based on that.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Ted    Finally took the time to do the check you recommended.i put the balancer on TDC on #1 cylinder,both valves on #1 closed and on #6 cylinder intake was closed and exhaust was open.  Carl