When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I have 1976 with stock 350 and factory distributor. I'm having trouble with my advance curve. Right now I'm getting 36* all in by 2100. A little early but different springs would correct. The problem is at 36*@2100 my initial is 24*@650. Only 12* mechanical. I have used electrical tape around weights at idle to make sure they weren't advancing early. I think the center plate/weights may be limiting the travel. Please help with thoughts and info. Thanks, Kevin
Hey Justin, those started out as Mr Gasket weights, once I reshaped them, I had all kinds of advance and then brazed up the slots to limit the travel. That's the set-up in Dan's 78. I have Summit weights in mine, no grinding required. Cleaning up the old grease and sludge from the shaft makes a big difference, operates more smoothly and consistent.
They looked like after markets, especially with the perfect weight bushings.
That is a great idea brazing up the slots to limit the travel. I couldn't get the Mr. Gasket ones to work so I reworked the old ones and found bushings that would fit the original weights.
VettAgra - Do you have a photo you could post? Here is a photo of mine after it was cleaned up:
I have 1976 with stock 350 and factory distributor. I'm having trouble with my advance curve. Right now I'm getting 36* all in by 2100. A little early but different springs would correct. The problem is at 36*@2100 my initial is 24*@650. Only 12* mechanical. I have used electrical tape around weights at idle to make sure they weren't advancing early. I think the center plate/weights may be limiting the travel. Please help with thoughts and info. Thanks, Kevin
Put rubber bands around the weights to hold them in and see what your initial truly is, if your total is 36 degrees by 2100 rpm and your idle timing is showing 24 degrees then a big part of that 24 degrees is mechanical advance, your most likely using the lightest springs which after they get a little on them, they advance more at idle. I'm guessing that your initial is actually 12 to 13 degrees which would mean your advancing 11 to 12 degrees at idle. When you put rubber bands around the weights and run them, if you do indeed get 24 degrees advance then your advance mechanism might be sticking.
Put rubber bands around the weights to hold them in and see what your initial truly is, if your total is 36 degrees by 2100 rpm and your idle timing is showing 24 degrees then a big part of that 24 degrees is mechanical advance, your most likely using the lightest springs which after they get a little on them, they advance more at idle. I'm guessing that your initial is actually 12 to 13 degrees which would mean your advancing 11 to 12 degrees at idle. When you put rubber bands around the weights and run them, if you do indeed get 24 degrees advance then your advance mechanism might be sticking.
oops!
I am using the middle sized springs from a Mr gasket kit with the factory weights/center plate. I have just replaced distributor after replacing the pickup coil and cleaning everything. I used electrical tape to hold weights in at idle and still had 24*. I will post a pic as soon as I figure out how from my new phone. Thanks for the help. Keep ideas coming. Thanks, Kevin
I am using the middle sized springs from a Mr gasket kit with the factory weights/center plate. I have just replaced distributor after replacing the pickup coil and cleaning everything. I used electrical tape to hold weights in at idle and still had 24*. I will post a pic as soon as I figure out how from my new phone. Thanks for the help. Keep ideas coming. Thanks, Kevin
Take your springs off and see exactly what your total is.
Go 3/4 of the way down the page to "Mechanical, aka "centrifugal" advance".
Here is a pic showing the limiting screw on the left. No welding/brazing required.
Just tap the exisiting hole and file the edge down on a screw until you get the desired mech'l advance. Mine is limited to about 13* mech'l and 19* initial for 32* total.
Last edited by resdoggie; Sep 8, 2014 at 07:53 AM.
From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
How much total mech'l advance is your dist'r capable of? If it's 20*, then I would set my my initial to 14-16* and use stiffer springs to get it all in at ~3000 rpm with vacuum advance disconnected and using manifold vacuum. Won't hurt to try.
From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
Originally Posted by VettAgra
I am using the middle sized springs from a Mr gasket kit with the factory weights/center plate. I have just replaced distributor after replacing the pickup coil and cleaning everything. I used electrical tape to hold weights in at idle and still had 24*. I will post a pic as soon as I figure out how from my new phone. Thanks for the help. Keep ideas coming. Thanks, Kevin
So what you're saying is that you have 24* initial with the weights taped closed. Bring that down to 12* and then untape your weights and see what you get.
How much total mech'l advance is your dist'r capable of? If it's 20*, then I would set my my initial to 14-16* and use stiffer springs to get it all in at ~3000 rpm with vacuum advance disconnected and using manifold vacuum. Won't hurt to try.
So what you're saying is that you have 24* initial with the weights taped closed. Bring that down to 12* and then untape your weights and see what you get.
I started at 12*@650 originally and found that my total was 24*@2100. I adjusted my total to 36* and that's were I'm at now. My distributor is capable of much more but the weights seem to be stopping it now.
Those look like aftermarket weights. That might be the issue without some tinkering. Best to use the original weights (much heavier) if you still have them. When I tried the Mr. Gasket weights, I couldn't pull a lot of advance either. I wound up using the originals and cleaning everything up.
Those look like aftermarket weights. That might be the issue without some tinkering. Best to use the original weights (much heavier) if you still have them. When I tried the Mr. Gasket weights, I couldn't pull a lot of advance either. I wound up using the originals and cleaning everything up.
I used the moroso weights and get the full 23* advance.
Those look like aftermarket weights. That might be the issue without some tinkering. Best to use the original weights (much heavier) if you still have them. When I tried the Mr. Gasket weights, I couldn't pull a lot of advance either. I wound up using the originals and cleaning everything up.
You know, I have thought they look like the weights that came with the Mr gasket set I bought, but they are the ones that were on the car when I bought it. I just assumed they were factory. Does anyone know we're I can get a good set from? Thanks for help, Kevin
trouble getting full mechanical advance
