What is the "proper" procedure for setting total timing?? I have the timing tape and know how to install it...now I just need to know the proper way to set the total timing!!

 

I didn't know there was a "total timing" possible to set on the TPI motors... i thought all you could set was a base timing. I mean, there's no mechanical and vacuum advances, right? Just the slight bit of mech in the distributor itself, and the computer handles the rest?

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My mistake...ignore the user name! I HAD tpi and swapped to carb!!

 

total timing is base timing plus any advance that occurs(computer or distributer).
Vacuum advance only works at part throttle(not at idle of full throttle--it helps mileage) so I always unhook it to find total timing. Hold the engine at about 3000 rpm and check the timing(all of the advance should occur by then in a stock or mild engine). Mine likes 38 degrees total. Your distributer has a certain amount of advance 'built in'. That amount you cannot change without modifying the distibuter. You can adjust how fast the advance occurs with springs and weights. To increase total advance, turn the distributer and adjust the base timing up.
example
10 degrees base +25 advance gives you 35 total timing.
add 2 degrees to the base to make it twelve add 25 from the dist. and you end up with 37 total.


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82 camaro--original steering wheel, brake/gas pedals, seats--everything else modified
82camaro