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.

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.