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Can Too Much Base Timing Cause Engine to Overheat?

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Old May 26, 2002 | 05:04 PM
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Default Can Too Much Base Timing Cause Engine to Overheat?

Urgently need feedback on this item. Ifound that the engine had way too much initial advance (with advance hose to distributor plugged). I reduced the advance from around 18-20 down to about 10 degrees BTDC.

Will too much advance cause engine to run hotter?
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Old May 26, 2002 | 05:13 PM
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Default Re: Can Too Much Base Timing Cause Engine to Overheat? (TedH)

Yes it could...I think youre runnin`very close already...I would back up the timing a bit ..10 to 12 degrees on idle witout the vacuum..32 to 36 at wot..
I think :confused:


[Modified by BB wowbagger, 10:17 PM 5/26/2002]
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Old May 26, 2002 | 05:20 PM
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Default Re: Can Too Much Base Timing Cause Engine to Overheat? (BB wowbagger)

After the adjustment, I'm at 10 BTDC at idle with advance hose plugged.

Are you suggesting that I back it off even more (down to around 6-8 BTDC)?
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Old May 26, 2002 | 05:31 PM
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Default Re: Can Too Much Base Timing Cause Engine to Overheat? (TedH)

No.Around 10 12 degrees at idle is perfect..
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Old May 26, 2002 | 06:41 PM
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Default Re: Can Too Much Base Timing Cause Engine to Overheat? (TedH)

I've heard of the engine running hotter due to retarding the ignition timing too much but not the other way around. I'm under the assumption that too much advance will cause unbearable engine noises (clattering) due to predetonation before any temperature changes would be noticed.
Excessive advance actually may cause increase operating temps but I just haven't heard of it. . . that would not be surprising :lol:

Have you verified the accuracy of your temperature sending unit and gauge combo?
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Old May 26, 2002 | 06:52 PM
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Default Re: Can Too Much Base Timing Cause Engine to Overheat? (TedH)

Lars wrote an excellent article about setting timing. It's in the tech tips area on this page https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...=109&TopicID=3
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Old May 26, 2002 | 06:59 PM
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Default Re: Can Too Much Base Timing Cause Engine to Overheat? (MIKER)

Good News!!!

I installed a mechanical temp sending unit/gauge from Sunpro and the engine warms to 190, drops to 185 (when thermostat opens), returns to 190 and then, after sitting in the garage for 15 minutes idling it reaches 200 max!

The temperature sender was definitely getting a bad reading and I suspect it was damaged when I bent the blade to clear the radiator hose (the single blade on the sender broke off earlier this afternoon so I suspect it was nearly gone when I was chasing the ghost overheating problem).

I think I have the lifter preload dialed in and have the initial timing at 10 degreees BTDC.

Now I still have a couple issues:

The engine wants to die after I put it into gear and sit (as if at a stop light).

Also, I am now getting a little bit of dieseling.

Could that mean a lean carb or a rich carb or neither (could it be timing is retarded too far now?)?

I'm going to adjust mixture here pretty soon. I have the vac gauge and will place it between the carb and the spark advance mechanism (t-fitting). Lars set the mixture screws at '6 turns out from seated' so I'll start richening at first.

Question: How far can I back the mixture screws out before I have to worry about going too far and having them fall out of the carb?
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Old May 26, 2002 | 07:02 PM
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Default Re: Can Too Much Base Timing Cause Engine to Overheat? (TedH)

With the vacuum gage installed, adjust idle mixture screws for highest vacuum reading. :chevy
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