Quick Timing Question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,937
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From: OP Kansas
C2 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Quick Timing Question
My car is not running terrible, but I wanted to see where it runs the best. The vacuum advance can is snug against my coil. Can I get more adjustment by pulling the distributor and rotating it counterclockwise one tooth? I'd like the can in the middle, between the coil and manifold. Also how do you know where the timing should be if you don't know anything about the engine's insides. Do you go with highest RPM's? Highest Vacuum?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
If your vacuum can is dead against the coil and the coil is in the proper location and the cap wired correctly, it's likely you timing is either too slow or too fast.
You need to put a timing light on your engine, find out what the timing is and then adjust as needed. If you can't adjust as needed then you likely will have to pull the gear on the distributor shaft and rotate it 180* and re-install, re-time the distributor.
Most SBC's will run best with 10-15* initial timing but that depends on the mechanica advance limit and the vacuum can.
You need to put a timing light on your engine, find out what the timing is and then adjust as needed. If you can't adjust as needed then you likely will have to pull the gear on the distributor shaft and rotate it 180* and re-install, re-time the distributor.
Most SBC's will run best with 10-15* initial timing but that depends on the mechanica advance limit and the vacuum can.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,937
Likes: 163
From: OP Kansas
C2 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Problem is I don't know where the timing should be set. Also my question was if I move the dist one tooth, will that give me more adjustment, or will it put me too far the other way.
I would like to take the easy way out and move it a tooth rather than flip the dist gear if possible. I know that flipping the gear is the same as a half tooth, so I don't know if I can get away with a full tooth and have adjustment both ways.
I would like to take the easy way out and move it a tooth rather than flip the dist gear if possible. I know that flipping the gear is the same as a half tooth, so I don't know if I can get away with a full tooth and have adjustment both ways.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,332
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From: PARADISE
St. Jude Donor '09-'11-'12-'13-'14
Problem is I don't know where the timing should be set. Also my question was if I move the dist one tooth, will that give me more adjustment, or will it put me too far the other way.
I would like to take the easy way out and move it a tooth rather than flip the dist gear if possible. I know that flipping the gear is the same as a half tooth, so I don't know if I can get away with a full tooth and have adjustment both ways.
I would like to take the easy way out and move it a tooth rather than flip the dist gear if possible. I know that flipping the gear is the same as a half tooth, so I don't know if I can get away with a full tooth and have adjustment both ways.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
Doesn't make any sense to me.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,946
Likes: 28
From: Long Beach CA
Disconnect the vacuum advance, connect a dial-back timing light, run the engine up to around 3,000 rpm (or wherever the timing stops advancing, and see what it is. It should be 34-36*. If it isn't, try adjusting the distributor. If the coil is in the way, move the dizzy one tooth and try it again.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,937
Likes: 163
From: OP Kansas
C2 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Mike, the timing is at about 13º advanced. That is as low as it will let me move it. I would just like to be able to see if it runs any better if I had the initial timing set at 10º.
I know by rearranging the plugs over 1 tower, it will be too far the other way. I wasn't sure if turning the dist only 1 tooth will make the can hit the manifold also.
I know by rearranging the plugs over 1 tower, it will be too far the other way. I wasn't sure if turning the dist only 1 tooth will make the can hit the manifold also.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
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From: Washington Michigan
Mike, the timing is at about 13º advanced. That is as low as it will let me move it. I would just like to be able to see if it runs any better if I had the initial timing set at 10º.
I know by rearranging the plugs over 1 tower, it will be too far the other way. I wasn't sure if turning the dist only 1 tooth will make the can hit the manifold also.
I know by rearranging the plugs over 1 tower, it will be too far the other way. I wasn't sure if turning the dist only 1 tooth will make the can hit the manifold also.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,691
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From: columbus oh
Mike, the timing is at about 13º advanced. That is as low as it will let me move it. I would just like to be able to see if it runs any better if I had the initial timing set at 10º.
I know by rearranging the plugs over 1 tower, it will be too far the other way. I wasn't sure if turning the dist only 1 tooth will make the can hit the manifold also.
I know by rearranging the plugs over 1 tower, it will be too far the other way. I wasn't sure if turning the dist only 1 tooth will make the can hit the manifold also.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
Mike, the timing is at about 13º advanced. That is as low as it will let me move it. I would just like to be able to see if it runs any better if I had the initial timing set at 10º.
I know by rearranging the plugs over 1 tower, it will be too far the other way. I wasn't sure if turning the dist only 1 tooth will make the can hit the manifold also.
I know by rearranging the plugs over 1 tower, it will be too far the other way. I wasn't sure if turning the dist only 1 tooth will make the can hit the manifold also.
Timing at 10*-13* won't make much difference if any. I'd still flip the gear just to make things the way they're supposed to be. thumbs:
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,937
Likes: 163
From: OP Kansas
C2 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Thanks guys, that's what I thought. I'll pull the distributor and get the can in the middle, that way at least I can see where the car runs better.
