engine tuning help PLEASE

[pete29]

Good news. I got my 72 chevy original 350 with original 4 barrel rochester quad. running. It has an hei distributor on it now. i stuck a timin light on it. When i move the distrubutor more clockwise to get the mark lined up better the engine starts running slower. Is this normal. Then when i had it all lined up it was runin decent, and i could shut it off and start it just fine a little while later. but then i let it set overnight and went to try start it but it wouldn't, so i turned the distributor counter-clockwise a little, the place where it was runnin faster, and then tried starting it and it started. So i left it there. and its idlelin pretty good, but when you push down the pedal it wants to die out and you have to let off then pump it again to get it goin faster. Any suggestions on what to do. Would it be a good idea to get a different carb for it. Whats a good one for this 350 engine. It does have bigger valves and cam.

[JimKshortstep4x4]

When you turn the distributor clockwise you are retarding the timing so the engine will run slower.

Counter clockwise will advance the timing.

What are you trying to set the timing to and do you have the vacuum advance disconnected?

Jim

[pete29]

The vaccum hose is disconnected. This is the first time i've ever tried to time anything. I'm not sure what its suppose to be timed at but i was trying to get the mark lined up exactly with the slot on the tab. Good idea or not?

[oldblue1968chevy]

what are we supposed to set our 350 motors for..ima be setting mine soon..but didnt know what to set it as mines a 350 also, thanks!

[El Jay]

About 4 degrees before, distributor vacuum line disconnected & plugged will put you in the ball park.

[piecesparts]

I would try setting the timing at 10 degrees BTDC and then try driving it with that setting. You should get pretty decent acceleration and performance with that setting.

[pete29]

when u say 10 degrees btdc. does that mean before the mark 10 degrees, or what does it mean.

[piecesparts]

Originally Posted by pete29

when u say 10 degrees btdc. does that mean before the mark 10 degrees, or what does it mean.

Yes sir, that is just what I mean. If you have your timing marks cleaned up to a point where you can read them easily, you will note that there is a "0" and then there are marks without numbers and then there is a 10. That is where I would start on the timing. Many GM engines call for a 4 degree or 6 degree timing, I have found that is good, but little better response is found when you set you timng a little advanced. I used to run my engines at 10 to 12 degrees "Initial timing setting" and then when the vacuum hose was connected, the distributor would provide for whatever centrifugal advance from there.

I now use a timing light with a Built-in "advance" dial-in feature and I adjust my distributors for a TOTAL advance number that is about 35 degrees. This seems to work well for the engines that I have built and they run quite well on the street.