How much turn of distributor for a couple degrees of timing?

[7Dcuda]

Ive got a 440 with a water pump that has the inlet on the passenger side so it completely covers the timing tab and makes it impossible to use a timing lite.

Ive installed a new distributer and with heavy acceleration have a little valve ping so I need to retard the timing a little.

Its been a loooooong time since Ive had to set timing on an old car like this so my question is:   Approx. how much movement/turning of the distributor does it take to make a degree or two of timing change? 

[Beekeeper]

it's not gonna take much to get a couple degrees. If you are doing it by sound and can't see the timing marks, I would loosen the bolt just enough that you move the distributor while it's running. 2-3 flats or so. Then I'd bump up the idle speed on the carb 200 rpm's. Then turn the distributor just a few millimeters until the idle goes down about 200 rpm's back to where it was before you started. Then Tighten distributor clamp and test drive.

[cudabob496]

tiny amount.
degree or two of roration.
In fact, dist goes around twice for every firing cycle,
so 2 degree diff in dist equals one degree in timing, I THINK

[Bullitt-]

I'd suggest using bother CP's timing method .... you would not even need to see the factory marks as you could make your own.
Key would be to find top dead center on the compression stroke #1 cylinder ..mark a spot on the cover & balancer then measure for the second mark 2-3/8" as in his instruction here  http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=4430.msg33565#msg33565

[734406pk]

1 degree of rotation at the distributor = 2 degrees at the crankshaft, so its very sensitive to adjustment. If you can find tdc, you can make your own mark then use an advance indicating timing light to find your base and total timing.

[69bcuda]

Set TDC at the current timing mark. Scribe an area on the damper where you can see it every 1/16". Fab a pointer. 1/16" on a 7.25 diameter OD is 1° I do believe.

[xtopfuel]

can also use a vacuum gauge rotate as stated very slight until highest vacuum point

[Rich G]

You might also try getting some timing tape, get TDC , make a mark on the cover where you can see it and start the timing tape from there.

[cudabob496]

I'd suggest using bother CP's timing method .... you would not even need to see the factory marks as you could make your own.
Key would be to find top dead center on the compression stroke #1 cylinder ..mark a spot on the cover & balancer then measure for the second mark 2-3/8" as in his instruction here  http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=4430.msg33565#msg33565

could we use TDC for another cylinder, so that side of the damper could be seen?

[xtopfuel]

Yes number 6