Setting correct Timing for truck 360

[C300]

I Got a 1984 R350 Dually work truck. The timing for it stock says 4 BTDC. R150-250 is 11 BTDC. Took the 84 engine out, put in 77 truck engine with 84 Dist., cam-lifters-p-rods n rockers. (someone stuck 4 BIG diameter pushrods in...dumbass thought motor was toast ) Edelbrock 318/360 intake, 1406 carb. Runs good. What should be the initial and total timing be ? I do have a Dial timing light. Timing marks are correct. Aftermarket Chain n gears looked good, but i had a chain tensioner on the shelf so i tossed it in. will be mostly used to haul big boat, car trailer, wood n steel. up hill both ways. Thanks, C300

 

[diymirage]

not sure what timing should be but remember to advance it one hour tonight

 

[Dana]

:laughing:

not sure what timing should be but remember to advance it one hour tonight

 

[C300]

not sure what timing should be but remember to advance it one hour tonight

Would that be the initial or total timing ? #-o

 

[RustyRatRod]

Gonna be something you will have to play with. The problem with stock stuff is when you get enough initial, you will have too much total. You need a way to limit mechanical advance, like weldin up the advance slots. With a truck pullin something you might start with 12-14 initial and see where total ends up. It's not uncommon for total plus vacuum to be in the 60 degree range on a stock low compression motor......BUT whether or not the engine will take it pullin heavy stuff will have to be seen.

 

[diymirage]

Would that be the initial or total timing ? #-o

I supposed initial timing is where you start out at and daylight saving time would be total timing

 

[C300]

Gonna be something you will have to play with. The problem with stock stuff is when you get enough initial, you will have too much total. You need a way to limit mechanical advance, like weldin up the advance slots. With a truck pullin something you might start with 12-14 initial and see where total ends up. It's not uncommon for total plus vacuum to be in the 60 degree range on a stock low compression motor......BUT whether or not the engine will take it pullin heavy stuff will have to be seen.

The trucks got 4.11's i think. thinking that's why the 4 before timing. lower so the total wont be too high for hauling heavy loads. going to check the distributor and see if it's set up with different springs n stops. Ran into that on some industrial and big truck 392's n 413's. Thanks, C300

 

[RustyRatRod]

Them gears will actually help it have more timing. Since there's more leverage, it's easier for the truck to move.

 

[moper]

You will probably want to set up the distributor a little better than it is - there are some posts on that - do a search. My '87 360 likes 15° initial, and 38° total. I had to tune the Edelbrock carb a bit too.