TADailyDriver

iTrader: (8)

Alright guys, this timing issue has been haunting me since last year, put on new carb and can ran great but still didnt pull in the top end like it should. Have been attempting to setup my dizzy since I got it and the instructions arent very helpful. Im running an MSD Ready to Run E-Curve distributor. Under the cap is the circuit board with built in rev limiter and 2 timing dials. From what I read, depending on the spark curve you want you set dial 1 to anywhere from 0-9 and dial 2 to anywhere from 0-9. The instructions give you charts to look at and set the dials to but nothing seems to work. Either the car will barley idle, run rough, or accel ok but fall flat on its face anywhere past 65mph. Im at wits end with this thing. Heres what im running:

http://www.msdignition.com/Products/...stributor.aspx

install intructions:

http://www.jegs.com/InstallationInst...1/121-8394.pdf

I have no vacum advance on this dizzy. My Camshaft is small but its all I could work it.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-2102/

As of now I have 32* total timing with the timing mark at 2* advanced. Car still runs like ****!!! Does anyone know where to set the timing dials?? I dont want to send the car to a speed shop and spend big money to have it tuned but idk what else to do. Come on timing guru's help me out!

TADailyDriver

iTrader: (8)

Well got some free time on my lunch today at work so I went out and attempted to get the timing somewhat in the ball park. Grabbed my digital timing light and set it to 34* total timing. Took off the cap and set Timing Dial #1 @ 4 and Timing Dial #2 @ 1 according to the chart. Turned dizzy to read at 2* advanced and took her for a drive. Low end felt much better, top end is better but only slightly. Car still runs very rich, I think mainly due to the power valves possibly being bad in the carb. I do have a small port off the bottom of the dizzty with a vacum cap on the end of it but no diaghram so I dont think its vaccum adance.

ymenic

iTrader: (1)

I've heard of many digital timing guns been off before. There was this you tube video where a digital timing gun was off 25 degree. Did you set the rev limiter? I guess it helps sets that timing curve.

Gumby

Allot of post on the MSD tech forum say to use a standard cheap old type timing light as the dual spark screw up the fancy pricy digital ones.

Here are some timing tips or notes I use.



"Most V8's run best at WOT, with a total timing of 30-36*, all in at 2500 RPM, or less.

To do this with a conventional timing light, you need to make a 30* mark on your balancer. With a balancers of 6 3/4" in diameter. Circumference (360*) of a circle is pi(3.14) X diameter. 6.75 X 3.14 = 21.195"/12 = 1.76" (30*). Looking at the engine from the front, measure exactly 1 3/4" clockwise around the balancer, and make a second mark. This is your 30* mark. Connect up your timing light, and watch your 30* mark as you increase the RPM's. At some point, your 30* mark will stop rising, and move no higher. This is the RPM, where all of your mechanical advance is in.


At this same RPM, with the distributor loose, adjust it so that your 30* mark lines up with the 0 on the timing tab. You now have 30* of total timing. Line it up with the 2, 32* total, ect.

Keep in mind that a stock distributor usually has stiff springs in it, that don't allow full advance in until 4000 RPM or more. For best performance, you want your advance in at 2500 RPM, or before. The easiest way to do this is to purchase a Crane adjustable vacuum advance kit. It comes with 3 sets of springs to allow your advance in as early as 1600 RPM, or as late as 3200 RPM, or anything in between. For points distributors (Jegs part # 270-99601-1,) (GM HEI, 270-99600-1). What I did was purchase the kit, and install the lightest springs(2 yellow). I used these springs to adjust my total timing, that way, I didn't have to rev the motor very high to see my total. Afterward, I installed the springs that brought my advance in at 2200 (2 silver)

One important note is to make sure the timing is returning to the initial setting, when the engine is idling. So when setting your timing, pay attention to when the advance starts, as well as when it is fully in. Having the distributor in the advance curve, at idle speeds, can cause excessive rpm drop with an automatic trans, with some camshaft/converter combinations. Generally, the more agressive a camshaft you use, the more important this will be. Advance curves should generally start at around 1000- 1200 rpm, when your idle speed is around 800 in Park.

SUBTRACI INITIAL DUMMY OF 10-12*[my own personl note just for me ]"