what do i need,so that i can get 36 total at 2800
vacuum and mech.
how do i calculate it,is there a gauge i can buy
like a degree wheel for a distributor
shane

Originally posted by ovelle:
...like a degree wheel for a distributorThat's actually a good idea. Has anyone heard of or seen anything like this? Granted, it would only show you the total mechanical advance (no curve) but it would be a nice way to set up the weights/bushings/etc. on a bench before working on the curve itself.

P.S. I'm glad you braved posting another question! :D

All of my distributors (HEI, about three of them)made me run at least 42 degrees advanced with 16 initial, no vac advance. I ended up getting a recurve kit and using the bushings and springs and modifying the stock flyweights. First I drilled the weights for the Mr Gasket kit's bushings, then I put 'em on and ran the engine. Still 42. I welded up the inside of the weight where it meets with the center section to limit travel, 40 degrees. Then I put a little weld on the weights where it meets the center at full advance and that got me right at 36. A little filing and I had my 38 degrees. It didn't start to come on untill 2k and didn't stop until 38 or so. Put on weaker springs and came on to early. So I went with the meadium springs and just ground the flywieghts down untill it all came in at 3k. This all took me about 2 hours and six bucks.

o,
All of the curve kits I have seen come with a set of graphs that show the curve with different combinations of weights and springs. That should get you real close.

Here is a good article. I followed this to set up my HEI.

http://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/tech/hei.shtml

I used a 'Dial back" timing light, and starting at 800 RPM I charted the advance with the vacuum disconnected, going up 200 RPM at a time until no further advance occurred (3400 RPM stock) after changing the springs and can as detailed in the article, all advance was in by 3000RPM. It was easy and and relatively cheap!
John

When I tuned my dist I wraped a piece of paper around the disrt and cut to length then I started folding it each time I folded it I would mark it 1st fold line is 180* and so on. Then I fastened a wire in place of the rotor to act as a pointer. I later made permanent marks on the dist. Just remember dist degrees are not the same as crank degrees. voila a degree tape for your distributor.
I posted on this a while ago but cant find it. ...anyway good luck.
Milan

I cut up a 3/4 board & drilled for just the distributer shaft (tight fit) then nailed down a circular protractor/compass?
On the tip of the dist a pointer was screwed on and pointed at the (0) on the protractor, with different weights & centers i simply swap out the weights & centers until final wanted advance is reached.
Found out for the average stock advance 16º-18º was about it and with different centers & weights I could manipulate just about any combo 16º up to 35º.
I just finished up my super heavy (33' 454 motor home" with a 24º mechanical and 10º base and it runs sweet.
Playing with the springs can be fun tho for the cars but on the M.H. the dist is right in front of you after the dog house is removed. Have fun

Jim

good article on the hei phocksphyre,
that is my plan.
shane

I use stock GM weights and the springs from the aftermarket curve kits.Works for me.
The weights in the curve kits are too light IMHO

I have a accel hei with a msd upgrade on it. I used a moroso curve kit. The curve starts at 2000 and is all in by 3200. The box tells you what springs to use to get a desired curve. To shoot it in use a adjustable timing gun. Dial it in to your base with vacuum un hooked. Set base at idle. Then reb it up to 3000 or so to give you full advance reading . If you want 36 then adjust the gun to 36 and shoot in your total(dial the gun to 36 for example). if you have vacuuum advance hook it back up after that and then give it slight gas so and see how much it has changed from the your base. this will give you the vacuum advance number. That will tell you how much vacuum advance you have and you can adjust the vacuum canister on the distributer to get a desired vacuum level. Most say no more than 10 degrees of vacuum advance. Here is exactly how mine is setup

base 21
total 40
vacuum advance 10

total timing= 50

Runs good but it depends on your motor specs. I think the more radical the motor is. I have allot of overlap on the cam etc which makes my car like allot of timing. I think modest cars have a base of 10-18 with a total between 32-38.