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Timing Gun goes wonky with Vacuum Can connected

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Old 05-31-2012, 08:43 AM
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81_vette!
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Default Timing Gun goes wonky with Vacuum Can connected

1977 SB.

36 total, all-in with the vacuum advance disconnected. Timing Light works great up to this point.

Connect the Vacuum Advance hose and timing light can lo longer get a stable reading... the timing marks on the pulley start bouncing around all over the place.


** Is my vacuum advance extremely high at this point? Is this what is causing the "bouncing" of the timing marks? **


I have an adjustable vacuum advance so I can make any needed adjustments.


( I plowed through the threads but could not locate the "bouncing timing marks" thread )
Old 05-31-2012, 08:48 AM
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Have you checked to see if the diaphram is leaking?
Old 05-31-2012, 08:53 AM
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Wouldnt 36 without the advance be a little high?
Old 05-31-2012, 08:54 AM
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Put a vacuum gauge on to check for full manifold vacuum and see if the needle remains steady or fluctuates.
Old 05-31-2012, 08:58 AM
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Originally Posted by '75
Have you checked to see if the diaphram is leaking?

It is a brand new unit, but I will check it when I upgrade my dizzy cap this weekend.
Old 05-31-2012, 09:01 AM
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Originally Posted by resdoggie
Put a vacuum gauge on to check for full manifold vacuum and see if the needle remains steady or fluctuates.
It holds pretty steady, but their is a slight fluctuation.

Should it be dead steady with no movement at all?
Old 05-31-2012, 09:05 AM
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Originally Posted by 81_vette!
It is a brand new unit, but I will check it when I upgrade my dizzy cap this weekend.
What number did you put in ? Depending on your engine vacuum the vac can could be bouncing in and out.
Old 05-31-2012, 09:06 AM
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Originally Posted by wombvette
Wouldnt 36 without the advance be a little high?

If I understand correctly (and I am just your basic, driveway mechanic)... I should be at 36 total when "all in" without the vacuum advance?

And with the vacuum advance connected, I should be at less than 52 total?


Please correct me on this. I can easily set my timing and idle as desired.
Old 05-31-2012, 09:10 AM
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Originally Posted by ...Roger...
What number did you put in ? Depending on your engine vacuum the vac can could be bouncing in and out.
It's an adjustable ACCEL unit. (# 31034 or 31035?)

I should be able to adjust it as needed? Or do I have a mis-match for a 77 SB?
Old 05-31-2012, 09:39 AM
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Originally Posted by 81_vette!
It's an adjustable ACCEL unit. (# 31034 or 31035?)

I should be able to adjust it as needed? Or do I have a mis-match for a 77 SB?
I'm not a fan of the adjustables but did you adjust it to fit your engines vacuum ?
What is your engines vacuum at idle ?
Old 05-31-2012, 09:52 AM
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Originally Posted by ...Roger...
I'm not a fan of the adjustables but did you adjust it to fit your engines vacuum ?
What is your engines vacuum at idle ?


My vacuum at idle is @ 21.


I can re-adjust the vacuum advance using the instructions provided from ACCEL.
Old 05-31-2012, 02:40 PM
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Originally Posted by 81_vette!
If I understand correctly (and I am just your basic, driveway mechanic)... I should be at 36 total when "all in" without the vacuum advance?

And with the vacuum advance connected, I should be at less than 52 total?


Please correct me on this. I can easily set my timing and idle as desired.
36 total + or - with the vacuum advance.
Old 05-31-2012, 02:50 PM
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Originally Posted by wombvette
36 total + or - with the vacuum advance.

36 At IDLE only?



This is the thread I have been referring to:



http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...long-post.html

Next check total timing with the vacuum can connected. It should be 36º PLUS whatever amount your vac. can supplies. On my car it would be 36º + 16º from the can = 52º.

No matter what, you do NOT want to exceed 52º (total plus vacuum advance) or again your timing will be too high and detonation becomes an issue.

Now that you see your vacuum advance is working take the car out for another test drive. Again make sure you aren't hearing knocking or pinging plus feel carefully that the car isn’t giving you a surging, chugging, or jerking feeling. If it is your vacuum advance adding too much in over and above the centrifugal advance and needs to be lowered.

** Note: for more details on various vacuum cans, their specs, and requirements, read Lars paper Vac Adv Specs.pf that I listed early on.

Last edited by 81_vette!; 05-31-2012 at 02:56 PM.
Old 05-31-2012, 03:38 PM
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Originally Posted by 81_vette!
My vacuum at idle is @ 21.


I can re-adjust the vacuum advance using the instructions provided from ACCEL.
If you have a vac gun,make sure the vac can is pulled in completely by 19" when adjusting it. That way at idle the vac can will stay seated.
Old 05-31-2012, 08:07 PM
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Problem is this, for performance applications, vacuum advances are seldom used, so the engines are set up for about 36 deg. total not using the advance. But for a street engine that you plan to use a vacuum advance for part throttle road ability you must make concessions. I don't care what they say, 52 degrees total is too much and the engine will flutter and misfire when all of that advance is in. If you are going to use that vacuum advance, set it up for total 36 deg. with all in at 3000 or so RPM.

Originally Posted by 81_vette!
36 At IDLE only?



This is the thread I have been referring to:



http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...long-post.html

Next check total timing with the vacuum can connected. It should be 36º PLUS whatever amount your vac. can supplies. On my car it would be 36º + 16º from the can = 52º.

No matter what, you do NOT want to exceed 52º (total plus vacuum advance) or again your timing will be too high and detonation becomes an issue.

Now that you see your vacuum advance is working take the car out for another test drive. Again make sure you aren't hearing knocking or pinging plus feel carefully that the car isn’t giving you a surging, chugging, or jerking feeling. If it is your vacuum advance adding too much in over and above the centrifugal advance and needs to be lowered.

** Note: for more details on various vacuum cans, their specs, and requirements, read Lars paper Vac Adv Specs.pf that I listed early on.
Old 05-31-2012, 09:26 PM
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Originally Posted by 81_vette!
My vacuum at idle is @ 21.


I can re-adjust the vacuum advance using the instructions provided from ACCEL.
Don't the instructions tell you how to adjust it?


Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
Old 05-31-2012, 09:51 PM
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Originally Posted by scottyp99
Don't the instructions tell you how to adjust it?


Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
I think thats what make the adjustables a PITA,they usually tell you to drive the car and adjust to the pinging of the engine on acceleration.
Again , I don't care for them.

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