C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

hei question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 21, 2009 | 06:40 PM
  #1  
steve dalla's Avatar
steve dalla
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From: fairfax va
Default hei question

hello, can someone tell me how many degrees of centrifigal advance is built into a stock Hei? i just bought a new hei from summit and i am trying to figure what to set my initial timing at to ensure a total of 36 degrees without vac advance hooked up. thanks
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2009 | 09:48 PM
  #2  
69427's Avatar
69427
Tech Contributor
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,905
Likes: 962
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
Default

Several ways to go about it.

1) Was there any technical information in the box when you got it?

2) Call Summit's tech line and ask for some information on the distributor.

3) Put a timing tape on your harmonic damper, install the distributor, and run the engine up to the RPM needed to max out the centrifigal advance, adjust to 36 degrees, and then check to see that your idle timing is reasonable. Be sure to hook the vacuum advance up when you're done.
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2009 | 11:40 PM
  #3  
Jeff_Keryk's Avatar
Jeff_Keryk
Drifting
20 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,879
Likes: 38
From: Los Gatos CA
Default

I think the timing tape suggestion is right on. Plot your timing curve, both centrifugal and vacuum. Then you know...
Reply
Old Jul 22, 2009 | 12:29 AM
  #4  
SH-60B's Avatar
SH-60B
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 198
From: Meriden CT
Default

Factory HEI's have 20 degrees mechanical.
Reply
Old Jul 22, 2009 | 01:34 AM
  #5  
steve dalla's Avatar
steve dalla
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From: fairfax va
Default

ok. im confused!! i took a look under cap and there is no advance stop bushings like in an msd. without being able to set the centrifigal advance how do i now where to set initial? summit tech said that the springs and rpm combo determine total timing? sounds weird to me but the hei advance kit they sent with it showed only spring changes and nothing to do with bushings. either way the earliest i can be all in is 5000 rpm and that is with there light springs. are you as confused as i am? help
Reply
Old Jul 22, 2009 | 05:10 AM
  #6  
RunningMan373's Avatar
RunningMan373
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
Default

I'm running a Summit, just set the did this,, i set the timing to 12°, per factory spec for a 4 sp, was all in at 34-36° at 2500 rpms.
Reply
Old Jul 22, 2009 | 04:16 PM
  #7  
SH-60B's Avatar
SH-60B
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 198
From: Meriden CT
Default

I took a quick look at those summit blueprinted distributors. Summit says they come with medium weights. I noticed that the weights that come with some mechanical advance spring kits are much smaller than the factory originals. I think you need heavier weights in that distributor, or, try just using one spring.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To hei question





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:05 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE