The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 63 sb/ss 230ci timing question

Know that this will sound stupid, but when turning the distributor, which way advances the timing/ which retards? Elect/fuel are fine on truck, when it heats up...gets backfiring good. Pretty sure that the timing is retarded.

oh..also...new fuel pump, carb rebuilt, new sending unit in tank, new plugs/wires/coil, new wiring front to back

I always go by which way the vacuum advance points.

Could you 'splain that a little further
Wrenchbender? I've learned that you can follow the vacuum line into the distributor and make a circle and that's the way it turns, but which way does it "point"? in or out?
Turning the distributor the same direction as the internals turn will retard the timing. You should be doing it with a timing light if you can get it running. Checking the timing is a good start, but if it only runs badly when warmed up you probably have a different problem, like a weak coil or bad condensor.

the vacuum advance points towards the battery, so it should go clockwise to advance? BTW-new coil, i'll replace condensor tomorrow.

Think about what the vacuum advance does, it pulls the advance plate to advance the timing. So if you turn the distributor the same directing the vacuum pulls, you will be advancing the timing.

These engines are pretty low compression and the fuel is better now then when the engine was designed, so you can get away with more timing today. I run mine at about 40 degree total, with out vacuum hooked up. I believe its 12 or 13 degrees at idle.

With the engine hot, unhook the vacuum advance and rotate the distributor till the engine runs its fastest and smoothest. This will get you really close. If it has a hard time starting, back it off just a bit till it starts OK. Once the timing is set, adjust the carburetor idle speed to slow it back down.

Joe

All Chevy engines I'm aware of have distributors that turn clockwise when viewed from the top. Turning the housing CCW advances the timing, CW retards it. The vacuum advance pulls the breaker plate on V-8's, or the whole housing on stovebolts opposite the direction of rotation, causing the spark to happen sooner under high vacuum for better fuel economy.
Jerry

Thanks for the help. Ill try and set the timing tomorrow. Got off late tonight and had trouble getting it started...just turning over. Probably have to put battery on charger now. Ill keep you posted.

ok...got the battery charged up. After all new work, the motor just keeps turning over, but wont catch. I have NOT played with timing yet and yes, there is a full tank of gas. After bout 2-3 min, and lota pumping of accelerator it finally caught, ran for min or two...with help from foot on floor. than backfired and shut off. Frustrated I gave up for night. Its 10:30 anyways. Is my timing so retarted that im haveing problem starting? Completely baffeled. Again..everything from tank-carb replaced. New coli, wires, plugs, cap and rotor. New wire harness in truck several months ago, but ran fine then. I plan to check point gap in morning and try and find a new condensor for distributor. Please help...

Also...just had the factory vacuum gauge rebuilt...so when I get it running i can give a vac reading.

does it bacfire? mine did out the carb when i had the timing to advanced on a initial startup.

i have become somewhat of an expert on this, through my own countless frustrating nights. Have rotated the engine to top dead center and checked your distributor's placement.

It acually sounds like the timing is way retarded from what you describe. If it's getting a decent spark I wouldn't worry about that cond. It's rare they go bad & usually won't spark at all when they do.