Just when I think I got this freakin timing thing fiqured out something else gets tossed in the mix.I've read on hear 16-18 initial and between 34-38 total @3k.Crane cams tells me 12 initial with 36 total @2800rpm.I'm ordering some timing tape today,I need to get this behind me,so If somebody wants to explain it to me like a 5 year old on what I need to do from start to finish thats fine. :confused: :confused: :confused: Thanks

Do you have an adjustable timing light. One that can be advanced?

What I do is set the light to 36 and then rev to 3000, the 0' degree mark should then line up with the balancer mark if you are at 36. Really staight forward, if you don't have an adjustable light then the timing tape will really help. With timing tape you just need to line up the 0' degree mark on the indicator (timing cover) with 36 on the tape.

Hope this helps,
Dave

Then this takes care of the initial also?Or do I set the initial,rev it to 3k and then see what the total is?

I would get the timing light with the advance knob. Your TOTAL timing is the sum of your initial and mechanical advance with the vacuum line plugged. The centrifugal weights and springs in the distributor control how fast (RPM's) you reach the maximum mechanical advance. This may occur at 3000 or 4000 or whatever RPM's. It just depends on the weights and springs in your distributor. If you have 14 initial and you find you have 38 Total, then you have 24 degrees of mechanical advance coming from your distributor. Make sure you rev to a point where no more mechanical advance occurs. Good Luck!

Not sure If I can swing the light with the knob.The standard light is probably more in my range.How am I going to know If I have enough or too much initial(I know you get this by moving the dist.)and enough total?What is a good starting point for initial.Thanks

Originally posted by toddc:
Not sure If I can swing the light with the knob.The standard light is probably more in my range.How am I going to know If I have enough or too much initial(I know you get this by moving the dist.)and enough total?What is a good starting point for initial.Thanks Set initial by putting the engine at whatever you want it to be. Say, 12*. Line the balancer up so that 12* and the TDC mark line up. Then point the dist. at the #1 wire. You now have 12* "initial" Then rev the motor to "X" rpm(2800 for example) and check to see that the 36* mark lines up with zero on the timing tab. You now have 36* "total" Use the vacuum advance and the weights/springs to adjust the rate at which you get to 36*

Jeff

Well after getting it pretty close by ear,I drove it to work today.It runs smooth but it still idles rough(motor&shifter shaking like crazy)no stumbles or hesitations.Would this be timing still or in the carb?Any and all comments welcome.

Originally posted by toddc:
Well after getting it pretty close by ear,I drove it to work today.It runs smooth but it still idles rough(motor&shifter shaking like crazy)no stumbles or hesitations.Would this be timing still or in the carb?Any and all comments welcome. How are you motor mounts? What size cam do you have? How radical is your motor? Is it your daily driver or a once in a while take to work deal?

Its a crane cam part#110692 502 516 lift 238 244 duration @.050.Its not a daily driver.As far asi know the motor mounts are good.The motor is a 355 with about 10-3-1 comp.I've changed plugs, cap, button, pcv valve,and I'm going to change wires here in the next day or so.I finally got a timing light and going to try that.Any other ideas?

Toddc,with that cam your going to need alot of initial timing I would say your right about needing 16* to 18*.I would try to keep your total around 36* to 38*.Engines with good sized cams like alot of initial but it still will not idle perfect it's going to have a certain amount of roughness to it.The cam you have according to cranes web site, rpm usage is between 3000 and 6400 rpms this is where the cam will be the smoothest.Get your initial set before you mess with the carb because it will have an effect on your tuning.

Yeah I understand it will have a rough idle,but the motor isn't supposed to shake like its going to jump out is it?I quess this is where the fine tuning comes in.

Originally posted by toddc:
Yeah I understand it will have a rough idle,but the motor isn't supposed to shake like its going to jump out is it?I quess this is where the fine tuning comes in. Stupid question, but, what rpm do you have your motor idling in park? I know that if my motor idles at around 700rpm, it's rattling like crazy...and obviously, the higher the rpm the smoother it idles. The reason I mentioned about my motor idling that low is because for some reason, after a while of driving or going off on it too hard, my idle drops little by little. I'm sure your not experiancing the same problem as me, but, I figured it might be something to think about.

It idles around 950 to 1000.With it being a 4 speed and with this particular cam should it idle higher than an automatic.Or are they the same?

You should be ok with 900 to 1000,just don't get the idle to high or your engine will try to keep running!