HI
setting the timing sb350 6-8 BTDC
timing tab shows A and R (advance retard)
should it be set (from 0) towards the A or the R

 

towards A (Advanced)

 

BIGJIM -
Unless you're needing to pass an emissions test, don't set your timing to 6 degrees... Set the car up for 36 degrees total timing. This will usually result in an initial timing in the mid-teen range.

 

What he says....always.

 

What does 36 degrees total timing mean!
each hash mark on the timing tab is 2 - Right!
How does it set for 36?
Thanks

 

There are some good timing papers on www.corvettefaq.com.

One of the first things you're going to want to check is how much advance your vacuum can produces, you may need to swap it out before you raise your initial timing. One way or another, go through your vacuum can, advance springs, and distributor hardware, then set everything up according to the recommendations of lars or other veteran forum tuners.

 

Correct timing will make a major imporvement in performance. I got a dial back timing light and with the suggestions from Lars the car run so so much better. it went from 11.5 mpg to 14.8-that was a bonus. But the car ran cooler and performed so so much better it was like night and day. Still going to fine tune it.

Also, we did the same on a chevy pickup that the balancer and timing tab was off. It made such a major differnece it was way cool. My initial timing is around 16 with a total of 36

 

I found the paper by Lars - but its for setting the timing for Non-HEI,
is there a procedure for HEI?
Thanks

 

Same procedure - just don't remove the springs.

 

Hello,
The procedure for checking the HEI distributors uses the same basics as the non HEI check. The main change seems to be the fact that you cannot take the springs out altogether. You need to put in the softest/weakest ones you can find.
kdf





. NOTE: This procedure cannot be used on the HEI ignition systems. Removal of the springs will cause an artificially over-advanced condition that will never be achieved with the springs in place. You can use the basic technique described in this paper with the HEI units (setting timing up to 36 degrees), but to check total timing, you must install a set of soft springs. You cannot remove the springs altogether. With the soft springs in place, rev the engine until the centrifugal advance is pegged out. Adjust for 36 degrees total. Then re-install your original springs. Start the engine. It may kick back a little due to the advance coming in immediately without the springs. If you’re using an adjustable timing light, set the light to 36 degrees advanced. Now rev the engine just a little while observing the timing marks with the light. It shouldn’t take much rpm to peg out the advance without the springs installed. With an adjustable light set at 36 degrees, align the stock timing marks with “0” when the timing is “pegged out.” With the non-adjustable light, align your new 36-degree mark with “0.” Rev the engine a little to make sure the timing will not advance any further. Shut it down. Pop the cap and rotor and re-install the springs. Put everything back together, but leave the vacuum disconnected. Start it up. For future reference, make a note of the timing setting at idle. This is your new curb idle timing spec. Now give the engine a few quick rev’s past 3,000 rpm and verify that the full timing (36 degrees) is coming in.

 

Many thanks guys!