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71 LT1 ignition timing

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Old Aug 28, 2023 | 10:50 PM
  #21  
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Well here is the results.
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Old Aug 28, 2023 | 11:01 PM
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Not sure what caused the initial timing to be so far off. Bad timing light. I know I was on the correct wire. I was using my truck battery for power. Timing light is about 30 years old. Will check timing tomorrow. Thanks Lars for the info on checking tdc.
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Old Aug 28, 2023 | 11:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Catsteven

Well here is the results.
So if that is TDC, the balancer has slipped because it's no where near zero
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Old Aug 28, 2023 | 11:23 PM
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This is using a tdc stop look at the two black lines. In the middle would be tdc. The white line.
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Old Aug 28, 2023 | 11:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Catsteven
This is using a tdc stop look at the two black lines. In the middle would be tdc. The white line.
thanks didn't see the black lines by why doesn't it line up with zero on the tab. Something is wrong.
if that is a bolt on tab can it be moved so zero lines up?
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Old Aug 29, 2023 | 12:13 AM
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Your test shows that the white line is equally spaced between the two black lines, so the balancer has not slipped.

Why are you using a truck battery for the timing light..? Just hook it up to the alternator + terminal and the "GRD" terminal. Set timing to 36 total and see where the initial ends up being.
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Old Aug 29, 2023 | 09:19 AM
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Originally Posted by lars
Your test shows that the white line is equally spaced between the two black lines, so the balancer has not slipped.

Why are you using a truck battery for the timing light..? Just hook it up to the alternator + terminal and the "GRD" terminal. Set timing to 36 total and see where the initial ends up being.
So at the end of this test the white line doesn't have to line up with zero on the tab?
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Old Aug 29, 2023 | 05:22 PM
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Did some posts get deleted?

Anyway, is that the correct timing cover, or is it possible that the timing indicator is what is wrong, not the damper?

Nevermind. Op's damper is fine. Read below for the explanation.

Last edited by Bikespace; Aug 29, 2023 at 08:07 PM.
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Old Aug 29, 2023 | 05:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Bikespace
Did some posts get deleted?

Anyway, is that the correct timing cover, or is it possible that the timing indicator is what is wrong, not the damper?
I'm wondering the same thing since the ZERO is not aligned with the white line.
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Old Aug 29, 2023 | 05:55 PM
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You guys are misreading the data....

He has done a TDC check. In doing that, he rotated the crank until the piston hit the piston stop. He then put a black line on the balancer at the "0" mark on the tab. He then rotated the crank the opposite rotation until it hit the piston stop again. He then put another black line on the balancer where the "0" mark on the tab is located. TDC (the line on the balancer - the white line) should then be located exactly halfway between the two black lines. As you can see: It is. He shot the photo after marking the second black line, but he hasn't rotated the crank back to the halfway point, which is right on the white line - the white line is exactly between the two black lines. It's right on.

Everything is good. He just needs to set his timing right with a good timing light.

E-mail me for a copy of my TDC Test paper if you would like to see the process. Steve did it right.

Steve - that is what you did, right...?

Lars

Last edited by lars; Aug 29, 2023 at 06:02 PM.
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Old Aug 29, 2023 | 06:14 PM
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Originally Posted by lars
You guys are misreading the data....

He has done a TDC check. In doing that, he rotated the crank until the piston hit the piston stop. He then put a black line on the balancer at the "0" mark on the tab. He then rotated the crank the opposite rotation until it hit the piston stop again. He then put another black line on the balancer where the "0" mark on the tab is located. TDC (the line on the balancer - the white line) should then be located exactly halfway between the two black lines. As you can see: It is. He shot the photo after marking the second black line, but he hasn't rotated the crank back to the halfway point, which is right on the white line - the white line is exactly between the two black lines. It's right on.

Everything is good. He just needs to set his timing right with a good timing light.

E-mail me for a copy of my TDC Test paper if you would like to see the process. Steve did it right.

Steve - that is what you did, right...?

Lars
Thanks for the explanation and everything else!
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Old Aug 29, 2023 | 06:46 PM
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Lars
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Old Aug 29, 2023 | 07:30 PM
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Yes I used Lars procedures for checking TDC. Worked out perfect emailed me the procedures.
Well I got another timing light that was older than mine. Showed the same thing at idle:off the timing scale advance. Changed the number one wire with a new one to see if it would make a difference. Took one inch of movement in the retard clockwise to get 36 full advance timing. I bought this car about 6 months ago. Kind of a work in progress. The car ran but stumbled with out a load. Ran strong when getting on it. I know the timing was a little advance the way it started especially when it was warm. Just hard to believe it would run so good with that advanced. Getting ready to go for a ride.
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Old Aug 29, 2023 | 07:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Catsteven
Yes I used Lars procedures for checking TDC. Worked out perfect emailed me the procedures.
Well I got another timing light that was older than mine. Showed the same thing at idle:off the timing scale advance. Changed the number one wire with a new one to see if it would make a difference. Took one inch of movement in the retard clockwise to get 36 full advance timing. I bought this car about 6 months ago. Kind of a work in progress. The car ran but stumbled with out a load. Ran strong when getting on it. I know the timing was a little advance the way it started especially when it was warm. Just hard to believe it would run so good with that advanced. Getting ready to go for a ride.
Are you using a dial back timing light and if so, is it set to zero?
Are you doing idle timing or something else?
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Old Aug 29, 2023 | 07:42 PM
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You are setting the 36 total timing with the vacuum advance hose disconnected, right..?
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Old Aug 29, 2023 | 10:06 PM
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Originally Posted by lars
You are setting the 36 total timing with the vacuum advance hose disconnected, right..?
Hose disconnect. Initial timing set to 12 BTD and advance the throttle to 3000 roll the timing dial to 36 degrees and timing mark on zero. After. Adjusting timing vacuum dropped to 13” vacuum before adjusting the timing was at 16”. Didn’t drive the car yet just don’t understand how the timing was that far off. Never had a car with the timing so far with out stumbling all over when making this much of a change Seems to run okay where ever you put the distributor. Accel ignition conversion kit with MSD coil. Guess I’ll try to drive it tomorrow. Just don’t want to break anything.
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Old Aug 29, 2023 | 10:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Catsteven
Hose disconnect. Initial timing set to 12 BTD and advance the throttle to 3000 roll the timing dial to 36 degrees and timing mark on zero. After. Adjusting timing vacuum dropped to 13” vacuum before adjusting the timing was at 16”. Didn’t drive the car yet just don’t understand how the timing was that far off. Never had a car with the timing so far with out stumbling all over when making this much of a change Seems to run okay where ever you put the distributor. Accel ignition conversion kit with MSD coil. Guess I’ll try to drive it tomorrow. Just don’t want to break anything.
What advance springs are you using? Stock springs won't work.
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Old Aug 29, 2023 | 10:30 PM
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I trying to think of what previous owner did that results in 60 deg timing.
the loss of vacuum concerns me.
wrong timing cover pointer?
hmm
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Old Aug 29, 2023 | 10:38 PM
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Originally Posted by calwldlife
I trying to think of what previous owner did that results in 60 deg timing.
the loss of vacuum concerns me.
wrong timing cover pointer?
hmm
look at diagram post 52
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...blem-post.html
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Old Aug 29, 2023 | 10:51 PM
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From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
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He just verified TDC, which verifies the pointer and the balancer line.
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