Timing Questions - Basic
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,411
Likes: 288
From: dayton oh
Timing Questions - Basic
Just got done combing the archives on timing and my head hurts. :banghead: LIttle to NO experience with timing confused:
Per AFR website, I should be running 34-36 degrees BTDC for my AFR180 heads......how do I set this given the common timing indicator doesn't go that far???? Also, I'm running a stock vaccum adv HEI distrib, will it handle the amount of advance my motor needs or is it limited ???? Is Lars' recurve kits not for HEI ??? I'm getting the sneaking feeling I've under-timed my 350 drastically and am leaving lots of HP on the table by my ignorance. I REALLY want to learn to do this myself since I have to move around frequently with the military and its never to the same altitude. Recommendations for a timing light /other tools?? Mods in sig
Thanks a ton, I learn something new every time I come here :thumbs: :
Per AFR website, I should be running 34-36 degrees BTDC for my AFR180 heads......how do I set this given the common timing indicator doesn't go that far???? Also, I'm running a stock vaccum adv HEI distrib, will it handle the amount of advance my motor needs or is it limited ???? Is Lars' recurve kits not for HEI ??? I'm getting the sneaking feeling I've under-timed my 350 drastically and am leaving lots of HP on the table by my ignorance. I REALLY want to learn to do this myself since I have to move around frequently with the military and its never to the same altitude. Recommendations for a timing light /other tools?? Mods in sig
Thanks a ton, I learn something new every time I come here :thumbs: :
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: Timing Questions - Basic (Fast81)
Two ways you can get the timing, either buy an adj timing light which I recomend (I waited WAY too long to do it myslef) or get a timing tape and put it on our balancer. Shoot Lars and IM or e-mail he is a great guy and will answer your questions. :thumbs:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,023
Likes: 2
From: TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Timing Questions - Basic (Fast81)
To set total timing, you need an "advance" timing light, which is adjustable and has a dial on it that lets you set the total timing (say 32degrees) and the light will flash so that the mark on your balancer lines up with zero on your pointer when you have the proper advance. I don't know about Lars' kits, but you can get kits for HEI distributors from just about any auto parts store.
[EDIT] Dang it, fevre, you're always a heartbeat ahead of me! Guess I should stay off the drag strip when you're there. :D
JB
[Modified by JB, 9:45 AM 10/23/2003]
[EDIT] Dang it, fevre, you're always a heartbeat ahead of me! Guess I should stay off the drag strip when you're there. :D
JB
[Modified by JB, 9:45 AM 10/23/2003]
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,770
Likes: 3
From: St Louis MO
Re: Timing Questions - Basic (Fast81)
Per AFR website, I should be running 34-36 degrees BTDC for my AFR180 heads......how do I set this given the common timing indicator doesn't go that far????
Also, I'm running a stock vaccum adv HEI distrib, will it handle the amount of advance my motor needs or is it limited ????
Recommendations for a timing light /other tools??
Brett :thumbs:
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: Timing Questions - Basic (JB)
To set total timing, you need an "advance" timing light, which is adjustable and has a dial on it that lets you set the total timing (say 32degrees) and the light will flash so that the mark on your balancer lines up with zero on your pointer when you have the proper advance. I don't know about Lars' kits, but you can get kits for HEI distributors from just about any auto parts store.
[EDIT] Dang it, fevre, you're always a heartbeat ahead of me! Guess I should stay off the drag strip when you're there. :D
JB
[Modified by JB, 9:45 AM 10/23/2003]
[EDIT] Dang it, fevre, you're always a heartbeat ahead of me! Guess I should stay off the drag strip when you're there. :D
JB
[Modified by JB, 9:45 AM 10/23/2003]
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,630
Likes: 14
From: Fountain Hills AZ
Re: Timing Questions - Basic (Fast81)
If you don't have an adjustable timing light you can just make a new mark on the balancer. Measure it's circumference, divide that figure by 10, make a mark on your damper that distance from the TDC mark. With vacuum advance disconnected and plugged, rev the engine until the timing marks no longer move and align the new mark with the 0º mark on the damper and it will be at 36º total.
Also, make sure that you rev the engine until it actually reaches total. Most stock type distributors don't reach total advance until past 4,000 rpm, some not until past 5,000. Setting timing below it's actual total will give a bogus reading and would be a total waste of time.
Also, make sure that you rev the engine until it actually reaches total. Most stock type distributors don't reach total advance until past 4,000 rpm, some not until past 5,000. Setting timing below it's actual total will give a bogus reading and would be a total waste of time.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 654
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From: Now Frozen in Michigan
Re: Timing Questions - Basic (Fast81)
Right here from top pull-down menu......Tools/tech tips https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...=109&TopicID=3
