Hey I just swapped a carbed 350 into my Firebird and it was running pretty well. I checked the timing and it was like 40* before tdc(I am guessing becasue it was probally at 10:00 and the 0* mark is at about 2:00. I put it to 0* and idle sounded better but it sputters as it revs up.

The timing tab and balacer came with the engine so I know they are correct.

I am wondering if this 0* would casue this and it needs to be tuned or what are the symptoms of being to far advaced or to retarted. If I know the symptoms I could figure out if maybe the ring slipped.

 

Is the carburation/ignition stock, or has it been replaced with old-school mechanical carb & distributor?

Was anything disconnected when the timing was checked?

 

It is vacum advance distrubutor. I played around with it and it seems to be running well again.

I moved the vacum hose to a different port on the carb(which is a holley 600). Then I set base timing (with vacum disconnected)to 2* or 4*

I am going to let the engine cool down and make sure everything is still good. How much base timing should I set and what way makes it easier started, advancing or retarding?
Thanks

 

8-12 is pretty typical for a vacuum/mechanical advance system, with the vacuum disconnected for the adjustment.