I have a Mallory Unilite Electronic Ignition Distributor in my '71. I am having some problems adjusting the timing. Do I need to remove the springs before trying to adjust the timing, or just use a timing light that I can dial in to find my total timing?

You guys know it all, any help would be appreciated.

 

To quote Lars :blueangel: ". Removal of the springs will cause an artificially over-advanced condition that will never be achieved with the springs in place"

Go to the Corvettefaq and you will get his notes for HEI ignition timing. :thumbs:

 

Thanks Graemeinvette, I will check into it.

 

okay...okay.... now where the heck is the Corvettefaq??? I don't see a link in the pulldowns and the HEI notes are not in the tech tips... :nonod:

 

http://www.corvettefaq.com


[Modified by JB, 3:04 PM 6/3/2003]

 

Remove the vacuum hose from the advance can and plug the line. Loosen the hold down bolt just enough to turn the distributor with the engine running. Point the timing light at the timing tab and turn the distributor to dial in the proper initial setting Retighten the bolt and check timing again with the light. Reconnect vacuum hose. Set your light to `0'.

 

To check total timing it's best to increase engine rpm until you're certain that the distributor is through advancing. With some distributors, this might be well past 4,000 and some even higher. Setting it at a lower rpm will result in a bogus reading and you can wind up with a lot more total than you think you have. Removing the springs on many distributors (not HEI, not sure about yours) will let you see total at idle but I don't recommend that method. If Bubba has put in some incorrect springs, the total with them re-installed could be something different than it was without them so be sure to recheck it at high rpm with them installed if you use that method.

If you're using an adjustable light, set it at whatever total you want and, with the engine revved high enough for total to be all in, turn the distributor until the 0º marks are lined up. If you're using a standard, non-adjustable light, measure the circumference of your balancer. Divide that figure by 10 and put a new mark on it that distance from the TDC mark. With engine revved past where the total is all in, align the new mark with 0º on the tab and you'll be at 36º total. Aligning the new mark with the 2º mark on the tab would be 38º, and so forth.

If your total is coming in higher or lower than you want, or if you're not happy with the amount of initial that results, you'll need to recurve the distributor.

 

Well.... There is NO vacuum on the Unilite distributor... :nonod: That is the biggest drawback to setup. I come from old school and have dropped back to that (move dist from side to side finding poor running spot and set in middle...) :jester and of course the seat of the pants response. :steering: The way I have it set now, my mileage seems pretty good (for an old V8 on a carb)... :D

Thanks for all of the responses and I am reviewing Lars documents now. Lars, you are a TRUE Genius!!!