I'd like to hear what about the process causes it, but short of that....

Is it advanced timing, retarded timing, or both that will do it?

Also, have my distributor loosened up right now and I need to know which way I should go with it to start? If I had a timing light, or could afford to buy one at the moment I wouldn't be making this post but I am.

Clockwise or counterclockwise? or is there some way I can get the timing pretty damn accurate without a light? or even more accurate than it is now?

 

Inefficiency=heat. Too retarded = lack of power (& low mpg) = heat. Too advanced = lack of power (& low mpg + damaged pistons) = heat. The engine guzzles about the same amount of fuel (with regards to throttle position) regardless of timing, and the fuel that doesn't propel you forward will be wasted as heat.
Tuning can be done by ear. (Of course it takes a litte experience.) The engine idle will speed up as you advance the distributor, up to a point where it'll begin to stutter and (rapidly) fall off (thats way too far). Too advanced and it'll be hard to start, too retarded and it'll be lazy, but I don't think you'll be in for any damage. I think you'll need a timing light to get it anywhere near accurate, but others here can give you much better answers than me.

 

you can get pretty close by ear but you have to know what to listen for

its hard to explain but i advance it slowly til it doenst speed up anymore then back it down til it slows up a little and then turn it back a little more

only needs to be around 6 to 8 degrees BTDC

also you can tell by how it cranks and starts


it must crank right over without nay delays or stutters or anything
if it does then its too far advanced

you usually need to turn it clockwise rather than counterclockwise- in cases where timing has been guesstimated

from my experience theyre usually too far advanced when i put a gun on them

you can tell by the idle sound




good luck