The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Dumb Question on timing

Do you do the timing with the vacume line connected? I do know to put the octane adjustment to 0 , but I'm a little fuzzy on the vacume thing. I just replaced the Vacume Advance and did the timming with the Vac line attached. It seems to run well but did I screw up?

Yes you did, not a big problem though. Go back disconnect the vac from the carb and plug the carb. Put the octane selector back on "0" and bolt the dist down. Then loosen the dist screw on the front side of the dist. Hook up your timing lite to #1 plug etc and point to the hole on the top of the starter. The goal is to get the pointer lined up with the ball in the flywheel if its a 216 or line or other marks in different engines. To do this you need to turn the dist either one way or the other. You may have to do the white out thing on the ball and pointer to see in the dark. Be patient and sneak up on this stuff. If you put a vac guage on the intake manifold you will see the vac climb or fall depending upon where you turn the dist. You want it 20 or 21 if you can. Note that when the vac is highest the timing will be right on the ball on the flywheel or marks. Thats about 5 degrees advanced in some engines. Good job. Then adjust the air fuel screw to get the highest and steady needle on the vac guage. Finally adjust your rpm. Done.

You need to disconnect the advance and plug the vacuum line to set your timing. Also, be sure your points are properly set, they effect the timing, too. And set your idle as low as possible.

I always forget to move the octane selector back to where it was when I started. If you can't remember dial in about 3-4 clicks (A) advanced, thats 2 degrees each mark. If you get a little spark knock when you drive it take a couple of degrees out of the octane setting. If no knock add a couple til it does then back off. These engines need advance at idle and just off idle, they will run better and cooler. Hopes this helps.

It really doesn't matter much when you are using ported vacuum as long as you set the timing at low RPM so the vacuum advance hasn't kicked in. You can watch the can to determine if it is.

Thanks guys!
When I did it the RPMs were ~525, but the Pot was not moving untill I hit the throttle. I'll re do the timing correctly this time.
I do have a vac gauge, and meter.