521dad71

Thanks for the help. I did exactly as you suggested. I finally got it running and timed correctly. The distributor drive was way off. I could not get the rotor to point directly at an electrode and with the way someone had jerry rigged the distributor with a big washer and had both adjustments maxed out to barely get it to run. I finally figured out how to take the oil pump off and reset the drive. After watching a video on youtube that explained where the oil pump was and how to remove it. I had to stab it three of four times but I finally got it. I first set both adjustment bolts on the distributor to the middle and just kept making adjustments to the drive until it pointed directly to the original #1position as you suggested. It was very far advanced so all timing marks were out of sight when the timing light was used. The timing gear is also on the third adjustment but all timing marks such as the V mark and small black mark on the head was alligned as per timing specs. Someone has been thru this before with all the scribe marks and punch marks on the timing gear. The timing marks were not hard to find once it was half way in time. They are on the passenger side of the engine where the freaking pointer is. SO evidently it does matter where the rotor points and NOT just any where if you can't adjust the distributor far enough to even get close to proper timing. I will start today trying to get the 32/36 weber adjusted. I messed with all the adjustment screws thinking it was a carburetor issue originally causing the poor performance. I will back everything out again to some place close to the original and start over again. I think it will go much smoother with the new carb adjustment this time. I bet the timing issue was the reason it was in the junk yard to start with. Ill get a photo account set up so I can share pictures ASAP. Thanks Daniel C your the man

Thanks ​will put it back together and try to time it again and let you know how it turns out.

Hi! I am new here. i hope you can help me. I have a 71 521 with a L16. I had it running a while back just enough to get it in and out of the garage. Recently when i went to check the timing with my light, I could not even see the timing marks. I looked at the distributor to find the hold down bolt was completely out of the adjustment area. I found top dead center on #1 and removed the distributor. I have read many forums here with timing issues. From what i gather, #1 should be closest to the front of the truck but my #1 is towards the back of the truck. I also read that the distributor drive should be at 11 and 25 but mine seems to be at 1 and 35. How do I fix this situation so I can set the timing and adjust the carb? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks