Timing question
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 3,025
Likes: 12
From: Pleasant Grove AL
Originally Posted by kodaclr
What is the timing for a 1969 350, 300hp automatic.
I thought it was 8 degs, but I found the original owners manual and it say 4 degs.
I thought it was 8 degs, but I found the original owners manual and it say 4 degs.
If you will check the archives, you will find tons of info on timing. You need to check the total of initial and mechanical advance with the vacuum disconnected and pluged. With all the mechanical in, you should be at around 36*. You need a dial-back timing light or a timing tape to do this with. The vacuum advance will typically add another 14-16* at steady throttle settings.
If you just arbitrarily set the initial advance to some greater number, you have no idea what the total advance is, and could run into detonation problems if you are exceeding 36-38*.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Looking at the specs for the 69 300 hp motor the dist will give you 30 degrees centrifucal advance. If you set it at 4 degrees (what the specs call for) you will have a total of 34 degrees. If you set it at 18 initial you will have 48 total (way to much) The advance curve is horrible for this dist. It is all in at 5100 rpm. You should have it all in at 2500 to 3000 rpm. Most stock dist. are setup very poorly from the factory. My advice is find someone with an old dist. machine and have it setup correctly. Chances are it is need of a rebuild and recurve anyway. This being setup properly will make the car much more responsive and more power through the rpm range.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,456
Likes: 2
From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
Download a copy of Lars timing paper at www.corvettefaq.com
It explains the process and the reasons "why"
It explains the process and the reasons "why"
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,456
Likes: 2
From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
Actually, once you get the hang of it....it's easy. I can do it in about 30 seconds. (Okay, maybe 2 minutes)
1. Hook up the light.
2. Loosen distributor (not too much) and disconnect vac advance
3. Rev engine until timing mark stops advancing and check timing for 36-38°
4. Adjust and tighten distributor
5. Recheck and test drive
6. Open
and drink
1. Hook up the light.
2. Loosen distributor (not too much) and disconnect vac advance
3. Rev engine until timing mark stops advancing and check timing for 36-38°
4. Adjust and tighten distributor
5. Recheck and test drive
6. Open
and drink
Last edited by page62; May 8, 2005 at 10:38 AM.