Initial timing question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 952
Likes: 44
From: NC
Initial timing question
Hey guys,
I have a 355 with the 272 crane power max camshaft and 9.5:1 compression ratio. I am using the Mallory 42 series distributor.
My question is what should I set my initial timing at for maximum performance. I have read the sticky at the top of the page and understand that to get 36 degrees I need to add the mechancial and intial timing together.
I can adjust my mallory distributor to have different degree mechanical advances from 18 degrees all the way to 28 degrees. So how do I know what to set my inital timing at in order to know what to set my mechanical at. For example if I set my car at 14 intial I would adjust the mechanical to 22. I just dont know which combination would be optimum.
Thanks
James
I have a 355 with the 272 crane power max camshaft and 9.5:1 compression ratio. I am using the Mallory 42 series distributor.
My question is what should I set my initial timing at for maximum performance. I have read the sticky at the top of the page and understand that to get 36 degrees I need to add the mechancial and intial timing together.
I can adjust my mallory distributor to have different degree mechanical advances from 18 degrees all the way to 28 degrees. So how do I know what to set my inital timing at in order to know what to set my mechanical at. For example if I set my car at 14 intial I would adjust the mechanical to 22. I just dont know which combination would be optimum.
Thanks
James
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,411
Likes: 1,549
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Hello Neighbor!
Hi James B, your initial timing will be about 16*.
Than with the vacuum advance disconnected and pluged you want about 20* centrifugal at 2800 to 3000 rpm.
That gives you 36* Total.
At idle with the vacuum advance connected you should get about 36* because the vacuum can ads 20* plus the 16 initial= 36*.
When you go to WOT you loose the vacuum advance and just run on inital+centrifugal, then when you go back to cruse the vacuum kicks in and gives you a total of abuot 52* at cruse speed.
Hope this helps, Pete.
Than with the vacuum advance disconnected and pluged you want about 20* centrifugal at 2800 to 3000 rpm.
That gives you 36* Total.
At idle with the vacuum advance connected you should get about 36* because the vacuum can ads 20* plus the 16 initial= 36*.
When you go to WOT you loose the vacuum advance and just run on inital+centrifugal, then when you go back to cruse the vacuum kicks in and gives you a total of abuot 52* at cruse speed.
Hope this helps, Pete.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,783
Likes: 2
From: Engineers do it better.
Hi James B, your initial timing will be about 16*.
Than with the vacuum advance disconnected and pluged you want about 20* centrifugal at 2800 to 3000 rpm.
That gives you 36* Total.
At idle with the vacuum advance connected you should get about 36* because the vacuum can ads 20* plus the 16 initial= 36*.
When you go to WOT you loose the vacuum advance and just run on inital+centrifugal, then when you go back to cruse the vacuum kicks in and gives you a total of abuot 52* at cruse speed.
Hope this helps, Pete.
Than with the vacuum advance disconnected and pluged you want about 20* centrifugal at 2800 to 3000 rpm.
That gives you 36* Total.
At idle with the vacuum advance connected you should get about 36* because the vacuum can ads 20* plus the 16 initial= 36*.
When you go to WOT you loose the vacuum advance and just run on inital+centrifugal, then when you go back to cruse the vacuum kicks in and gives you a total of abuot 52* at cruse speed.
Hope this helps, Pete.
with Pete 
