hey fellas! just put a new 383 in my 83 trans am. whenever i try to set the timing it goes crazy. i set the timing at 12 degrees atdc with the vacume closed. when i connect the vacume back to the timed port the engine races up to around 16 degrees. anyone had this problem before? btw its a stock gm hei with msd 6al. thanks for any imput.

 

Uh, i am hoping that was just a typo, and you REALLY meant btdc. Having the timing change when you hook up the vacuum advance is normal. No worries. So long as the engine runs good, you are in fine shape. Have fun now.....

 

my bad. i was kinda in a hurry. btdc is what i meant to type. it runs fine except for the rpms going from 750 to 1200. im stumped!

 

has anyone had this problem? please, i need help!

 

idle rising when the timing is increased is normal. You may want to readjust your idle.
Another thing is that you might be using the wrong vacuum port.

 

ive got the vaccume on the left port on an eddy. i think thats the timed one. also i cant idle the carb any lower. still lost on this one. the dist. didnt always do this. could there be something wrong inside the dist?

 

check to see if you have a leak in your vac advance cansiter. Sometimes the diaphram ruptures or dry rots.

 

Driver's side? That's full-time vacuum.

 

PASSENGER SIDE. LEFT LOOKING DIRECTLY AT THE CARB. SORRY

 

Yeah, that would be the right side of the carb.