Total Ignition Timing
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 248
Likes: 11
Total Ignition Timing
I have a standard timing light and setting the initial timing is no problem. My major confusion is how does one set up total timing for 34 to 36 degrees. I have been all over U Tube Videos and the selection is poor at best. I see the the more advanced timing lights being used but there seems to be a missing link as far as explaining how to set the total timing. can somebody please explain how this is done. My harmonic balancer has only one mark for setting initial timing. I am running a 1977 350 L82 4 speed. Thanks!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Thunder Bay
I have a standard timing light and setting the initial timing is no problem. My major confusion is how does one set up total timing for 34 to 36 degrees. I have been all over U Tube Videos and the selection is poor at best. I see the the more advanced timing lights being used but there seems to be a missing link as far as explaining how to set the total timing. can somebody please explain how this is done. My harmonic balancer has only one mark for setting initial timing. I am running a 1977 350 L82 4 speed. Thanks!!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,382
Likes: 6,401
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
Just put a 36-degree mark on your balancer and use it for total timing. It's very easy to put a 36-degree mark on a 360-degree circle... Just measure the circumference of your balancer and divide the number you get by 10. Place a mark that distance clockwise (as seen from the front) from your existing timing mark.Set your total timing off the new mark and you're good to go! 
Lars
Lars
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 926
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From: TX
Just put a 36-degree mark on your balancer and use it for total timing. It's very easy to put a 36-degree mark on a 360-degree circle... Just measure the circumference of your balancer and divide the number you get by 10. Place a mark that distance clockwise (as seen from the front) from your existing timing mark.Set your total timing off the new mark and you're good to go!
Lars
Lars
I am not as smart as Lars. So I spent the money!!
You might inquire as to his vacuum can recommendations as I did.
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Michael S. Palmer
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,382
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From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
When racing back in the 70's we didn't have those fancy dial-back timing lights with inductive pickups Those of us doing tuning always carried a sewing measuring tape in our tool boxes - remember those yellow fabric measuring tapes your grandmother had in her sewing box rolled up in a roll? I believe I stole mine from my mother... You could tell the guys who knew how to tune if they had a sewing tape in their toolbox... (I still have mine)
Lars
Lars
Last edited by lars; May 24, 2019 at 10:55 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: SW Florida.
Put tdc mark at 15 tdc. Paint mark at TDC with white out. Move that mark to 15. Make another white out mark at TDC. Now you have tdc, 15btdc and 30btdc Mark's. When 30 is at 6, you got 36. Lars way works too...
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Get Lars to send yo all his papers. And yes. Dont stop when you hit 36* or 3000 rpm . You dont want to be getting more than 36* and more than 50* with the vacuum advance attached.
