Expert: Ben Deutschman - 7/4/2006

Question
please help... i have a 69 dart with a 225 slant six. it idles pretty low and stalls when i put it gear or come to a stop(unless i work the gas pedal). i went to hook up a timing light but i do not see anywhere to point it to? also it appears that i can only move the distributor back and forth very little? one more, i changed the plugs and wires and while it's running i can feel the spark going through the wire and inside the cap also, is that normal? i saw part of something about crush washers on plugs, use? or don't use? thank you, zack

Answer
There should be a Stationary Pointer on the Driver's side of the 'Timing Case Cover.' It may be hidden by any accessory drives that are above it, or buried in crud. The 'Vibration Damper' also has a mark in it (a long thin slot). Marking both 'Timing Marks' with a yellow Grease Pen, will make them easier to see with the 'Timing Light.'


You should NOT be able to see, or feel current leakage from a good set of Plug Wires.

DO NOT use the 'Crush Washers' on ANY Slant-Six' built between 1960, and 1974. If the old Plugs had the Washers on them, you may need to use a 'Thread Chaser' on the threads in the Cylinder Head, in order to clean out any Carbon build-up in the threads. Be careful not to cross thread the Plug threads in the Cylinder Head, and be careful NOT to drop the Thread Chaseing Tool into the Valley that the Pushrods extend down in to.