Distributor advance adjustment
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 38
Likes: 2
Distributor advance adjustment
hello,
i rebuild my distributor and take it back in the car. now i want to hit the 36 degrees of mech.advance. i want to do this without the springs to go save that all the mech.advance go in. But is it save to do this ?
i rebuild my distributor and take it back in the car. now i want to hit the 36 degrees of mech.advance. i want to do this without the springs to go save that all the mech.advance go in. But is it save to do this ?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 38
Likes: 2
maybe i can explain it better;D i want too start the engine without the springs in the distributor. i want to go save that all mechanical advance come in and not hold back from the springs. i want to adjust the timing first and then i want to chose the springs that i need. But i don't know if its ok for the engine when i rev it up without springs.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,809
From: Cool Northern Michigan
It will be fine. That is a good way to set the Total Timing: no springs, rev to 3,000, set timing at 35-36 degrees, lock down the distributor clamp. Its best to tighten the bolt while still running and still verifying the timing mark has not moved.
Then you can select your spring colors for your needs.
One of the most popular is one silver & one lite blue.
Then you can select your spring colors for your needs.
One of the most popular is one silver & one lite blue.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,809
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Yup, once the distributor is locked down and not allowed to move, then you can do your additional tuning with the springs.
Almost forgot. Vacuum line removed from distributor a plugged until done.
Almost forgot. Vacuum line removed from distributor a plugged until done.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
so, you basically want to set the timing at 36 with the advance fully advanced at idle. i guess it is a good way to assure you have ALL the advance in when you are at 36 with no vacuum. a lot of people think advance is all in because tach says 3000. but if springs too stiff or weights too light it can keep advancing to 4500 or so. i tell people to keep revving with the timing light until you are sure it has stopped advancing.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,356
Likes: 6,330
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
You can't set total timing on HEI-style distributors with the springs removed - it will produce an artificially over-advanced condition that will not exist with the springs in place. Since the OP has not given any info whatsoever on car/year/distributor/engine, it's not possible to answer his question accurately or correctly.
Lars
Lars
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
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From: North of Toronto - Ontario
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,809
From: Cool Northern Michigan
H-m-m-m-m. I' m confused. Just went back and looked at Lars Papers:
Step 1. Remove cap & rotor.
Step 2. Remove springs.
Step 3. Start motor
Step 4. Set timing
Step 5. Open a beer.
Step 1. Remove cap & rotor.
Step 2. Remove springs.
Step 3. Start motor
Step 4. Set timing
Step 5. Open a beer.
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Sep 23, 2019 at 08:57 AM.