[Guest]

I dropped the distributor in and I can get the car to run fine by ear. I want to set the timing using a timing light. The distributer is an Accel Billettech Race. It has no vacuum advance and when I take the cap and rotor off there is no advance mechanism, Only the 8 pointed star shaped trigger and the pickup. Accel doesn't make it anymore and can't get me directions for it.
When I check timing with the timing light the car idles great at TDC. If I rev it up the timing mark does move to compensate for the increase in rpm but only about 10 more degrees. This makes no sense. Should't the car rev with a total around 28 degrees? Shouldn't my initial timing be around 12 degrees?
I feel like an idiot because I just don't understand this distributer.
If I set it with 12 degrees at idle it backfires when I rev it up.

 

[speedfreak2]

If there is no advance mechanism at all then just set the total timing to 36-38 degrees and that's it. The timing should remain constant whether it's idling or at 9,000 rpm. You mention, however, that the timing does change about 10 degrees when you rev it so that sounds like maybe you have a module in there. That would cause the timing to retard because of the dwell that's built into the module. A mechanical advance mechanism would compensate for that problem. So check this...does the timing advance or retard when you rev it.

 

[M.Maner]

Your distributor has a two part housing,the upper part can be removed with the dist. in the car to access the mechanical advance system. I suppose the rate and total mechanical advance will be adjustable to a degree. With this being a Race distributor you may find it has a limited amount of mechanical advance built in to it. I don't see any reason your distributor would cause back firing at 12* initial. You need to verify your timing mark on your balancer is correct first.