Bubba times his car
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 664
Likes: 89
From: Marysville Ohio
21 degrees initial is not really out of line for a cam with 230+ degrees of duration at .050 (which is how I interpreted the OPs post). It depends on a lot of factors, but it's not unheard of at all.
I'm running a cam with 233 degrees at .050 and I can set initial higher than that with no kickback at all. However, you may end up backing off initial to get the curve to a place where you are happy with it.
For my current combination, I found that 18 to 20 initial was a good spot once I got the initial + mechanical timing curve to a point where I was reasonably happy with it.
I could actually take more initial timing, but as Jebby said, it may be necessary to compromise.
I'm running a cam with 233 degrees at .050 and I can set initial higher than that with no kickback at all. However, you may end up backing off initial to get the curve to a place where you are happy with it.
For my current combination, I found that 18 to 20 initial was a good spot once I got the initial + mechanical timing curve to a point where I was reasonably happy with it.
I could actually take more initial timing, but as Jebby said, it may be necessary to compromise.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 884
Likes: 128
From: Rhine Georgia
My car really liked the 21. Idle was better, response was crisper but on the flipside it was harder to crank when engine was hot. Add in the vapor lock issue (still not sure if it was timing related) and I've decided to drop back down to a more factory setup for the moment.
Plan is to connect my fuel pump return (it was capped when I got the car). Install a carb heat spacer and insulate my fuel line that runs close to my headers. Then try 18ish initial and see how she cranks, runs.
Plan is to connect my fuel pump return (it was capped when I got the car). Install a carb heat spacer and insulate my fuel line that runs close to my headers. Then try 18ish initial and see how she cranks, runs.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
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2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,600
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 884
Likes: 128
From: Rhine Georgia
Working on insulating the fuel line. I was able to move it almost 2" away from headers easily. I fabricated a heat shield and double wrapped in some extra reflexics heat wrap I had. Overkill?
Original position was directly in front of where heat shield is now.
Original position was directly in front of where heat shield is now.
