Ok here goes.
350 Remanufacturted
600 CFM edlbrock carb and performer Intake
Mallory Mech Advance Distirbutor.

When im setting my timing as i tighten down the Dizzy after its set it goes up about 2*-4* and i cant get it to stay where i set it. I wont stay at 8*. Do i need a vacum advace Dist., or is Mech fine.

Also when i pulled the Distributor i can turn the top and the bottom doesnt move right away, id say i ahve about 1/8 - 1/4 inch of travel in the button on the top of the dist.

 

bump

 

geez guy, 3 hrs? Go get some coffee and relax

Just using mech advance is fine for drag racing. Or street use, if you are ok with 14mpg and cleaning soot off your plugs every month. Get a vac advance can, if yours doesn't have one..? Crane 996001 should drop in, if there are provisions for it.

I like to loosen my dist nut (I use a stud and nut), just a tad, so I can turn the dist by hand, but barely. It won't move on it's own. Then go stand at the DS of the car, engine fully warmed up, and shine down the light, and adjust the timing. Then go over and tighten the nut a tad, then recheck the timing. If you're moving the dist 2-4* while tightening down the nut (which is kinda weird, but whatever), then just set it -4*, and tighten it down to where you want it.
8*? I'd go higher then that, but I guess that depends on your motor.

I don't think I understand this? You mean, with the cap off, you can turn the rotor by hand, while holding the gear still, and it's spring loaded? (normal.) Or do you mean something else?

 

I was told 8* for a 350ci with carb and intake and thats its. No cam or crank.
Now with a vacum advanced Dist. i wont get that bad MPG and soot?
With the cap of i can move the rotor about 1/4 inch almost a full terminal distance. Im sure its not good, and yes holding the gear, and its doesnt spring back it stays where ever i put it.

 

hmm, that's bad that you can move it 1/4". Once it's moving though, (engine running) it'll just stay to the end of that 1/4" travel, but still, i'd look deeper into that.
Stock cam, 8* should be ok. More will give you more power though.

Yea, you'll want in the high 40*'s timing at cruise, to give you max economy, do that with your vacuum advance can.