ok well the first in one of my problems is that my timing is off and my acceleration is pretty crappy. i have a 350 with an iron intake (dont know specifics) with no emissions, no AC, and no heat. i think the only thing that DOES work on my car are my lights, stereo, and my guages light up. anyways, me and my buddies decided to check my 60 second time last night and it took me 13 seconds! well thats besides the fact that i had 800 pounds of people in the car. it just seems to dog a lot. i advanced a bit, but i dont wanna blow my engine, and then it still isnt as peppy as i think it should be. it just acts like a 6 clyinder sometimes. i had my friend time it to 2 degrees and it was HORRIBLE. then i heard that it should be at around -2 degrees because thats where i make all my torque. so i dont know WHERE im at in timing right now. but i know i did advance it past 2 degrees and i idle at about 1k rpms. what should my idle be at to where i make good torque and i am very peppy. i just got beat by a 90 RX7 last night, i was so embarrased i went home!

now my other problem is that when i got my 350 put in, my friend lost my oil dipstick and i cant find a replacement that fits. where can i get the right dipstick for my car? i currently dont know how much oil i have in the car.

last problem is that my engine ticks and has since i have had the 350 in back in may. i changed the oil and its still there. it just changes with the rpms of the car and it sounds like its coming somewhere in the engine i dont know where tho. what are some causes of ticking?

thanks to anyone who can help me and my problematic car!

 

A light ticking that varies with engine speed (and not load) is likely a valve train problem. Exhaust leaks can result in a similar tick, but they generally change with engine temperature and engine load.

Your base timing should be around 4-6° BTDC with a factory cam.

Your "pretty crappy" acceleration could be a result of the valve problem, timing problem, and/or fuel mixture.

 

what all should i be looking for in the valve train for? what could be the exact cause of this? and could my slowness be contributed by the fact that my kickdown isnt hooked up and i have a stock quadrajet on that i have NO clue where its from?