Distributor timing

225 Odd fire: I have never played with a points/condenser system before today. I could smell a little fuel in the exhaust so I started looking at the carb, but the original settings seemed best. Then I checked timing. The PO had it set at 6deg advanced. I put it back to 0deg. I don't smell fuel now, but I think I lost a little performance.

I am wondering if I need to adjust my points now that I retarded the timing, or do they stay the same regardless?

Would it make sense on an odd fire motor that advancing to 6deg would burn rich?

 

The point will stay the same unless theres a problem. The best way to set the points is with a dwell meter. Setting the gap is a crude adjustment the dwell is the most accurate way. Advancing the timing had nothing to do with the fuel smell. Coincidence I would guess! The coil could be going bad or the points are off far enough to not get a good spark to the plugs. If you can get or borrow a dwell meter check the points that way and adjust as necessary. A good points system is simple and very effecient. I run a dual point Mallory unit that has served me well for the last 9 years.

 

The 225 should be set at 5 degrees before TDC. if I remember right