stupid timing question

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

May 7, 2012 | 10:21 PM

woodsman,ab

Thread Starter

Advanced

Joined: Sep 2011

Posts: 90

Likes: 0

From: Onoway Alberta

stupid timing question

i have a 1980 l 82 and i got three different base timing numbers. hood sticker says 6 degrees,2 shop manuals i have say 12 degrees and one post on here says 8 degrees. im using the sticky thread on how to set timing and want to get it right. i might be slightly more retarded than my timing.ha ha. im a beginner trying to learn.

May 8, 2012 | 12:50 AM

Peterbuilt

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 7,417

Likes: 1,554

From: mount holly NC

2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)

Can you tell us what you have now for
#1 initial
#2 centrifugal
#3 total
or does this help?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYGU7mTwsZc

May 8, 2012 | 11:59 AM

woodsman,ab

Thread Starter

Advanced

Joined: Sep 2011

Posts: 90

Likes: 0

From: Onoway Alberta

Quote:

Originally Posted by petes74ttop

Can you tell us what you have now for
#1 initial
#2 centrifugal
#3 total
or does this help?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYGU7mTwsZc

Initial is 10°,centrifugal 24°, total is 34°. Vacuum added another 16° once reconnected. Numbers seem to be okay if initial is fine at 10°. The car has no emmisions control on it. Just headers and straight through exhaust. Thoughts?

May 8, 2012 | 12:14 PM

scottyp99

Le Mans Master

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 5,948

Likes: 72

From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodsman,ab

Looks like you could advance it another 2 degrees. What rpm does the mechanical advance stop advancing at?

Keep the shiny side up!

Scott

May 8, 2012 | 12:27 PM

woodsman,ab

Thread Starter

Advanced

Joined: Sep 2011

Posts: 90

Likes: 0

From: Onoway Alberta

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottyp99

Looks like you could advance it another 2 degrees. What rpm does the mechanical advance stop advancing at?

Keep the shiny side up!

Scott

About 3600rpm which seems a tad high. Would this be caused by the initial at10 instead of 12°, or do I need to change springs so the advance comes in sooner?

May 8, 2012 | 12:41 PM

MelWff

Race Director

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 18,665

Likes: 2,564

need lighter springs and 2 degrees more. Your vacuum maybe too much, listen for ping or surging while cruising at 40 mph or so.

May 8, 2012 | 01:14 PM

scottyp99

Le Mans Master

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 5,948

Likes: 72

From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by MelWff

need lighter springs and 2 degrees more. Your vacuum maybe too much, listen for ping or surging while cruising at 40 mph or so.

16 degrees of vacuum advance on top of 36 degrees adds up to 52, which should be fine on the highway. Definitely check it out like MelWff says, though. It never hurts to make sure. I also agree with him on some lighter springs, try to get the full mechanical advance to come in by 2800-3000 rpm. Here's a kit you can use.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MRG-929G

I used the black springs and the stock weights, and my curves comes all in at 2800 rpm. Mine is a 1980 L48, though, so your distributor may behave differently. The trick is to find a spring and weight combo that comes all in at 2800-3000, but doesn't start advancing till 1000-1200, at least a couple hundred rpm above normal idle speed in park.

Keep the shiny side up!

Scott

May 9, 2012 | 01:16 PM

woodsman,ab

Thread Starter

Advanced

Joined: Sep 2011

Posts: 90

Likes: 0

From: Onoway Alberta

Thanks guys for your help. A local store has a weight and spring kit from msd so ill pick that up and advance timing to 12°. By the way, there is no pinging or any kind of detonation that I can hear so hopfully these changes will make it tip top.