Engine timing ?

[DerbyNinja]

I'll start it off....

Jon, we have always used pretty stock s.b.c. engines when we derby. Used a timing light to get around 8- 10 *with the vacuum hose to dist off..... then i would *dump* the throttle and slightly adjust the timing to where it would instantly rev without coughin off idle. Run it for a while, get it to operating temp. Shut it off, and make sure it would fire up easy. Old school hillbilly tuning.

Almost done building a new plant. I have been told to use a degree wheel and make a mark at 32* total timing. Fire it up, set engine at 3000 r.p.m.s and set total timing to that 32* mark and leave it at that.......

Rough specs
355 c.i.d.
World heads
Lunati 60103 cam and lifters
roller rockers with guide plates and hardened +.100 pushrods
Stock 2 brl intake
Older Gropp 2brl carb and dist combo....
BRP Extreme engine cradle

Running a th400, Nerat slider, and b.i.a. 10 bolt Moser setup with 5.13 gears....

What would be your advice for timing it in "just right" Mr. Crusher Sir ?

[crusher71]

I WOULD REMOVE THE VACUUM CANISTER AND WELD THE STEM AND PLATE TOGETHER TO LOCK OUT ANY VACUUM ADVANCE. I SET MY TIMING THIS WAY, AND IT HAS WORKED FOR OVER 20 YEARS, RUN THE ENGINE UNTIL ITS VERY HOT, 230-240 DEGREES, USE A GAUGE, DONT GUESS. I BLOCK OFF MY RADIATOR FRONT WITH CARDBOARD TO HELP SPEED UP THE PROCESS. SHUT IT DOWN, WAIT FOR ABOUT 3-4 MINUTES, WATCH THE TEMP GAUGE, IT SHOULD GO UP ANOTHER 10-20 DEGREES, START THE ENGINE LIKE THIS, WITH THE IGINTION SWITCH OF, PUSH THE START BUTTON, ALLOWING IT TO CRANK 3-4 TIMES AROUND, THEN HIT THE IGNITION SWITCH. DO THIS PROCEDURE UNTIL THE ENGINE DOESNT HAVE THE DREADED "WOOMP,WOOMP" THATS THE TELLTALE SIGN OF IGNITION THATS TOO FAR ADVANCED. THIS IS EASIER TO ACCOMPLISH WITH SWITCHED AND PUSH BUTTONS, THAN WITH USING 2 HANDS AND BARE WIRES. I HAVE USED TIMING LIGHTS I THE PAST, BUT FOUND THEY WERENT CONSISTANT ENOUGH TO BE SAFE USING THEM. SIMULATING REAL LIFE DERBY TEMPS MADE MORE SENSE...........OH, AND KISS MY BUTT... ...LOL

[DerbyNinja]

Thanks for the idears..... ill give it a shot. And why would i kiss your butt ? How about just givin ya a big hug ?

[crusher71]

NO HUGS.......I AM ALLERGIC.......

[crusher71]

I ACTUALLY MADE A LEVER THAT BOLTED TO THE BASE OF THE DISTRIBUTOR AND COULD ALTER THE TIMING WHILE IN THE CAR, WITH IT RUNNING IN A DERBY. HELPED OUT A FEW TIMES WHEN SHE GOT SO HOT IT WAS DETONATING, BUT I ABANDONED THAT IDEA WHEN I CAME ACROSS SOMETHING BETTER........