To set timing, loosen the hold-down and move the distributor housing, like so. The photos illustrate how to go about moving the distributor and setting the initial timing.

Hook up your timing light, crank up the motor, pull the SPark OUTput (SPOUT) connector, loosen the distributor, and set the timing to your liking.

Ignition timing is like seasoning: some is good, but too much ruins the results. Bumping up the ignition timing on pushrod 5.0s is a time-honored trick to wake up the under-hood lump.

For this installation, though, we chose a Dynatek Dyna 2000-HD1 digital ignition system, which has four preprogrammed ignition curves and a built-in rev limiter.

A practical walkthrough showing the process of fitting and securing the timing chain cover on a Pontiac V8 engine as part of the ongoing rebuild series.