Re: Could me engine timing be inaccurate
 

Clockwise about 15-20 degrees.

I previously did put it at 35 degrees advanced at approximately 2000 RPMs. I didn't have a tachometer though. What I found out Sunday though was that it is supposed to be adjusted to 32-34 degrees advanced at 3500 RPMs.

Re: Could me engine timing be inaccurate
 

Your best bet is to set your initial timing at 12 degrees.
Leave it there!
Lock it down and leave it there!
If you keep setting your timing at high numbers like 35 at 2000 rpm you’ll cause damage to your pistons!

Re: Could me engine timing be inaccurate
 

My plan is not to set it at 35 at 2000 RPMs.

Blueprints directions do not say to set it at 12 and leave it there.

I'm just trying to get advice on following their specs. Not create new specs.

Re: Could me engine timing be inaccurate
 

If you follow their specs you will end up with 12-14 degrees initial.

Re: Could me engine timing be inaccurate
 

Oh thanks. Does this mean that at idle it would show 12-14?

Re: Could me engine timing be inaccurate
 

Yes!
That’s what initial timing means.
Timing at idle.
Idle needs to be below 750 rpm though.

Re: Could me engine timing be inaccurate
 

Oh thanks, it's going to be great having this thing run right. :)

Re: Could me engine timing be inaccurate
 

It seems You didn't. mention lining up the rotor to #1 terminal on the dist cap.

George

Re: Could me engine timing be inaccurate
 

Running 13 degrees advanced at 700 RMP and 32 degrees advanced total possible not going any higher no matter how high the ROMs,,,,, that's all with the vacuum advanced plugged right?

Re: Could me engine timing be inaccurate
 

Usually the initial is with the vacuum disconnected.

BTW, I'm more a fan of experimenting with timing. The specs are just suggestions. As long as you can hear the knock (pinging, marbles in the coffee can, or whatever it sounds like to you), I'd advance the timing and see how it runs. If you have loud exhausts then stick to the specs. I had a Chevy S-10 pickup through the 1980s and 1990s didn't own a timing light. I just adjusted timing to get very light knock at wide open throttle. It ran much better when advanced from the factory/dealer tune-up settings.
(I did some laboratory work with a Chevy 350 in the late 1980s also: https://www.sae.org/publications/tec...ontent/890161/)

Re: Could me engine timing be inaccurate
 

Am I the only one that reads this title in a pirate voice?

Re: Could me engine timing be inaccurate
 

Lol, oh cr@p,,, I never even noticed I had a typo in there. :)

Re: Could me engine timing be inaccurate
 

I do now🤣 thanks for the chuckle

Re: Could me engine timing be inaccurate
 

Set timing as said then double check advance at 3500-4000 rpm. This guarantees that the distributer springs let all that timing in. SbC usually like 29-36 degrees total timing not including vac advance. I set to 36 degrees at high rpm then test drive and back it down from there. Many aftermarket distributors will have base timing at idle around 16 or 17 degrees. Honestly you don't need a tach. Set over all timing at a high rpm then note what it is at idle for future reference
This is the only way to do it unless you are recurving the distributer. The curve is dependent on the distributer wieghts and springs and on some distributors, the bushings

Re: Could me engine timing be inaccurate
 

Yar.