Engine Timing

[enaberif]

What would you guys consider excessive timing on a stock 305 engine?

I've been playing around with my timing trying to get rid of a noise which I thought was a knock/ping from the timing being wrong but it hasn't helped.

But tonight I was playing around while driving and with only mechanical advance I have found a pretty sweet spot where the truck seems to be a lot more responsive on the throttle and overall driving.

I haven't had a chance to see what the timing is set at but I will tomorrow but I have a feeling its probably close to 12-14 degrees BTDC maybe more.

[mongoose]

is your dist curved? what's total timing?

12 is a bit much for a stock motor.

[85Bowtie]

Is it pinging/spark knocking when you get into it?

If not, your probably ok.

I could never go much more than 10-12 in my stock 305 before it would start detonating.

I think factory setting initially is 4-6.

If it does "ping" a little, the off-road 104 boost works pretty good to get rid of it.

[Damien]

A stock engine should run well on regular fuel. Timing should be 4-8 degrees. Check specks for sure. Could also be running lean or hot. check carb tuning and coolant level, water pump, ect.

[piecesparts]

Are you still running the computer controlled distributor? After I put an HEI in my truck and eliminated the computer control, I typically ran my timing at 12 to 14 degrees BTDC on my 350 engine. now that I am running a stroker motor, I have timed my engine with a timing light that has an advance capability and I set the distributor at a "TOTAL" advance setting of 35 degrees.

[enaberif]

Originally Posted by piecesparts

Are you still running the computer controlled distributor? After I put an HEI in my truck and eliminated the computer control, I typically ran my timing at 12 to 14 degrees BTDC on my 350 engine. now that I am running a stroker motor, I have timed my engine with a timing light that has an advance capability and I set the distributor at a "TOTAL" advance setting of 35 degrees.

Never was computer controlled always HEI.

Running the engine at 8 degrees BTDC it just seems lifeless but where I have it now.. and will be checking in a bit it seems to really pep up.

I'm also going to be checking how true the TDC is too to make sure that isn't possibly out of whack too.

But perhaps 12-14 isn't so bad

[mongoose]

get a spring kit..... get all advance in by like 2500.. then knock the timing back to 8..

[piecesparts]

I was running a spring kit and also set the timing at 12 degrees, the truck ran real well, there. The more advance you can achieve the better the fuel economy.

[enaberif]

Originally Posted by mongoose

get a spring kit..... get all advance in by like 2500.. then knock the timing back to 8..

I have a spring kit with blue springs already.

As well as I have an ajustable vac can. I'll need to visit Mopac to pick up a timing tape.

Originally Posted by piecesparts

I was running a spring kit and also set the timing at 12 degrees, the truck ran real well, there. The more advance you can achieve the better the fuel economy.

Really? How does that work?

I mean no matter what I've got some stupid knock or exhaust leak I can only hear when the engine is under load and only then.

I did a valve adjustment and they are fine so my next idea is I possibly have an exhaust leak which I'll be attempting to fix in a bit or I'll have to start running like 10w40 oil.