What I decided to do was go with a skip white distributor. The gm hei version. I’ll start with that and then see what I can do with the timing to get it optimal
I also picked up a tachometer. I was using the actron, which is limited to 2000rpm. Oh well!, disconnect that tach before you do anything; tachs have been known to mess up ignition systems.
Can’t get total timing with that.
Should be able to adjust the mechanical with springs and vacuum advance curve with this. Will get rid of the coil, electronic box, and the ballast resistor
I’ll get a total timing of 34° @3000
And get as high a base timing as I can.
Set the plug gap to .045 and go from there.
Hang on, you're forcing the engine into a box, and you're making too many changes at once.
The initial idle timing is set during the T-port sync procedure. I know everybody is always saying crank it up, but every engine is fifferen, and yours is a small-cam effort, and if yo crank mega-timing into it. your T-port sync will be destroyed! So #1, Set the T-port sync.
Then 34* is ok but at 3000 might be too early. Ease into it.
And while .045 gap is a nice target, you can't assume your ignition system will reliably fire that, and furthermore you need a special plug gapper to change a plug gap from the more typical .035 to .045 and thirdly, your combo will probably not see any benefit from the increased gaps.
One change atta time.
Will go through your check list in order as well.
