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Timing marks question VB 308

geforcevb

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Now I have the timing to do
 
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mr j-man

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how much is that much??

whats your initial and total??......when is it all in by??

some more details would be handy
 

geforcevb

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mr j-man thanks for taken the time
 
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Cheap6

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I haven't had to adjust timing manually for long enough that my memory is hazy on it so I'm quite prepared to be contradicted by someone who has done it more recently but I think you are confusing the timing mark with TDC. Normally, if there is only one mark, the mark is set at the number of degrees for ignition advance at idle and you do match the two marks using the timing light (with any vacuum advance disabled).

Who put the distributor in? If it hasn't been out leave it but if you've had it out and put it back in using the matched timing marks as TDC perhaps that's your problem.

As the engine is not standard it won't need standard timing and therefore the original marks won't match up under a timing light when the ignition timing is set to the new optimum idle value. It is possible to set timing "by ear" i.e. at what the engine sounds like it idles best at. I'm more inclined to trust that than the marks in this case. (Not for a standard engine though; it isn't an especially precise method.)

If the distributor has been graphed i.e. modified to suit the engine then the initial timing will also have been revised then. The right thing to do would have been to scratch a new mark on the balancer. Is there one that you have perhaps overlooked?

I don't think knowing what the advance curves look like is useful to set the idle timing as that's either correct for idle or not but will be when you get to drive the car and the mechanical and vacuum advances are added. The exception would be if you were idling it fast enough to get into the mechanical advance.
 

mr j-man

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so what are some of your engine specs mate??

when youve got/find TDC of #1 on the compression stroke..this is how i do it ..u can pull the spark plug out, put your thumb on the spark plug hole and crank it till your thumb is popped off the hole (make sure u remove the coil to dizzy lead) and at the same time you need to stop it as close to the pop as possible, then line the balancer (12 degrees) to your middle marker. if you go past 12 degrees you have to crank it at again

once youve found this point and have set it to that^.. line the #1 spark lead on the dizzy cap to where the rotor is....
this should get you started!

get the engine idling and with your timing light point it to the mark on your timing cover.
you may need to advance/retard it depending on how close you are.

you initial timing at idle should be 12-18 degrees before TDC, depending on your cam and compression....u can adjust it to suit. id start with 12 as a basis

increase rpm at a steady rate whilst reading your timing gun. youl see it will advance to approx 32 degrees before TDC.
this is your total timing figure and should be all in by 3500rpm....another words is it wont advance any futher than 3500 at 32 total timing.

now these figures ive suggested are a basis to start off with. You will need to set the basics as stated then take it for a strap ... feel how it behaves depending on your cam you may need more timing

if its a little dohey down low youl want more initial

following these basic procedures is pretty much faultless.....it may take a little stuffing around depending experience but thats half the fun

any other question let us know
 

geforcevb

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I am waiting on rotor and calipers a couple of little things.
 
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mr j-man

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with a 3K stall im guessing the cams fairly mild so id go for > 18 deg initial is not unreasonable and 30 to 34 total depending on what the engine likes and all in by around 3600 rpm.

hopefully your dizzy is graphed to suit cam....

id set the basic timing first then once u can drive it then u can fine tune it
 
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geforcevb

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waiting for the morning now and give it another go.
 
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mr j-man

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geforcevb

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Thanks mate went out tonight to the shed checked everything all looking good just waiting on the battery to charge a hope she fires up thanks for all your help.
 
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