If anyone can figure this out, this group can! PLEASE forgive my lack of knowledge in this subject as I've only set 8-10 degrees on most engines with the vacuum plugged off. I've built many, many engines (mostly Chevrolet) but never set total timing on any of them. I've never understood it but never took the time to "learn". Fast forward to the last two weeks and I WANT to know total timing. I read every forum until I'm blue in the face. I print out Lars timing procedures as well as Rocky Rotella's. I buy a the Moroso 72310 advance kit (based of off Rocky's reviews and to have on hand just in case) and buy a new adjustable timing light with RPM readout (kinda nice actually).
I unplug my vacuum advance and cap it at the carb.
Start the car and let it warm up. I hit the light on and I'm showing 19 degrees at idle. (?)... 30 degrees at 2k and 40 degrees at 3600 rpm. It just keeps rising and I never did continue with seeing where total timing came in. I should have stopped there.
Due to the advance climbing past 3600 rpms, I change out the distributor springs from stock to the Moroso silver (lightweight). Bolt everything back and hit the timing light to it....30 degrees @ 830 rpms and the total timing peaked at 2600 rpms with 36 degrees set. I know none of this means a lick without my numbers being proper at idle but...?
Another thing I noticed....at 3600 rpm, the balancer mark jumps back and forth slightly (plus/minus 4 degrees). I would think that would stay right still without fluctuations.
My timing gun lead is on #1 ...why is this so off so much on initial timing? I change my timing lights to my old adjustable Craftsman and it reads the same. I am at a loss as the car drives beautiful! It had a tendency last summer to get warm in traffic, hence the crash course in timing and the jump into a part that I've always shyed away from (total timing).
Please don't destroy me with 'you're-an-idiot' comments but help me get a clue into what is going on! Thanks everyone!!!
This is a rebuilt (maybe 400 miles on it) stock '67 400 Pontiac with an 068 cam, points distributor (new stock replacement) with Petronix installed.
I unplug my vacuum advance and cap it at the carb.
Start the car and let it warm up. I hit the light on and I'm showing 19 degrees at idle. (?)... 30 degrees at 2k and 40 degrees at 3600 rpm. It just keeps rising and I never did continue with seeing where total timing came in. I should have stopped there.
Due to the advance climbing past 3600 rpms, I change out the distributor springs from stock to the Moroso silver (lightweight). Bolt everything back and hit the timing light to it....30 degrees @ 830 rpms and the total timing peaked at 2600 rpms with 36 degrees set. I know none of this means a lick without my numbers being proper at idle but...?
Another thing I noticed....at 3600 rpm, the balancer mark jumps back and forth slightly (plus/minus 4 degrees). I would think that would stay right still without fluctuations.
My timing gun lead is on #1 ...why is this so off so much on initial timing? I change my timing lights to my old adjustable Craftsman and it reads the same. I am at a loss as the car drives beautiful! It had a tendency last summer to get warm in traffic, hence the crash course in timing and the jump into a part that I've always shyed away from (total timing).
Please don't destroy me with 'you're-an-idiot' comments but help me get a clue into what is going on! Thanks everyone!!!
This is a rebuilt (maybe 400 miles on it) stock '67 400 Pontiac with an 068 cam, points distributor (new stock replacement) with Petronix installed.