total timing vs inital timing
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 316
Likes: 1
total timing vs inital timing
how does a change to a cars total timing effect initial timing? I had some work done on my vette where changes were made to the total timing which has improved overall performance but I'm not sure how these changes will effect my intial timing readings when I am doing a tune up.
Last edited by greggome; Apr 4, 2017 at 08:37 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,926
Likes: 739
From: Youngstown Ohio
If the distributor has not been recurved, then initial timing was changed from stock. Usually it is advanced. If you are satisfied with your performance with the present timing, check your timing at idle and note where it is..........then duplicate it on your next tune up. Or check total timing with your light, note it, and keep it for reference.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
You time a motor at 3500 rpm with vacuum advance blocked off
Initial timing falls where it falls and can only be changed by modifying the total amount of mechanical advance
An example. Iron stock head's need 38 degrees total mechanical advance and 3500 rpm ensures that its all in. Then using the dial type timing light you can check timing at idle. Let's say it reads 12 degrees. That would be 26 degrees of mechanical advance
I have an after market dizzy with only 12 degrees of mechanical advance my fast burn aluminum heads like only 32 total degrees. So I run it up to 3500 rpm and set it if I check it at idle it has 20 degrees initial
So only Bubba mechanics set up timing with initial
Initial timing falls where it falls and can only be changed by modifying the total amount of mechanical advance
An example. Iron stock head's need 38 degrees total mechanical advance and 3500 rpm ensures that its all in. Then using the dial type timing light you can check timing at idle. Let's say it reads 12 degrees. That would be 26 degrees of mechanical advance
I have an after market dizzy with only 12 degrees of mechanical advance my fast burn aluminum heads like only 32 total degrees. So I run it up to 3500 rpm and set it if I check it at idle it has 20 degrees initial
So only Bubba mechanics set up timing with initial
