340 timing need some advice on rufff timing
Hillbilly timing tape.
Roll the balancer timing mark to 10* before TDC on timing cover and mark balancer at 5* after, 15* spread. Roll the new mark to 10* BTDC and mark balancer at 5* after.
You now have marks on the balancer for 0, 15 and 30 degrees BTDC.
It's not uncommon for 340's to want 20* of initial timing. You might want to toss the factory timing specs in the garbage, they aren't set up for best performance. You've also changed things some, that throws a wrench in things.
Basic idea with car at idle speed you want, turn the distributor giving more advance, if the engine picks up RPM, it wants the advance. reset idle to where you want and repeat. You'll reach a point where it won't speed up much at all, you found where the engine likes initial timing level. As long as it will start when warm, not kicking back on starter or straining you then need to work on the mechanical curve in the distributor.
Hillbilly timing tape.
Roll the balancer timing mark to 10* before TDC on timing cover and mark balancer at 5* after, 15* spread. Roll the new mark to 10* BTDC and mark balancer at 5* after.
You now have marks on the balancer for 0, 15 and 30 degrees BTDC.
It's not uncommon for 340's to want 20* of initial timing. You might want to toss the factory timing specs in the garbage, they aren't set up for best performance. You've also changed things some, that throws a wrench in things.
Basic idea with car at idle speed you want, turn the distributor giving more advance, if the engine picks up RPM, it wants the advance. reset idle to where you want and repeat. You'll reach a point where it won't speed up much at all, you found where the engine likes initial timing level. As long as it will start when warm, not kicking back on starter or straining you then need to work on the mechanical curve in the distributor.
