[malc]

Mark number one plug lead on the distributor base.
Remove the cap and rotate the motor until the rotor points to the number one mark you made.
Now go look at the balancer and timing mark.

Is your timing tab at 12 O Clock or at 2 O Clock ?

I have had the problem of a slipped outer ring and bought a new balancer,
trouble is I got the wrong balancer, at that time my timing tab was at 12 O Clock and the new balancer was for one at 2.

[curtis73]

Initial (idle) timing is not very important. The main reason that you set timing at idle is simply so you don't have to rev the engine with your face 3" from the fan to set timing.

Distributors give X degrees of advance, and the important factors are degrees of total advance and when it comes in. As has been discussed, you want about 36-38 degrees total, and you want it to be all in by 3000 rpm. So, initial advance is simply a reference point you can use. If the total is 36 and you have it set to 10 degrees before TDC at idle, then its safe to assume that your distributor is adding 26 degrees.

In 90% of the combinations, total timing doesn't change. 36-38 is pretty true for any small block regardless of tune. The question is, how much initial do you need. In a stock engine, 10 degrees initial is fine, but if you go with a cam, intake, headers, and other things, 10 might not be enough to get a decent idle.

So, I agree with Greg T - it doesn't matter where your initial timing is for the sake of idle. But if you need or want more timing at idle you can have it by changing the amount of total advance the distributor offers. Lets say your engine idles and starts well at 20 degrees. You simply advance it 10 more degrees and then modify the advance weights so that it only offers an additional 16-18 degrees so you can still get the total around the right mark.

Put it this way; I had a mild cam in a low compression 454. It was very tolerant of ignition lead, so I was able to lock the mechanical advance, set initial to 36, and I was done. I hooked up to ported vacuum that added more advance at cruise, but dont' get hung up on initial settings. Find the sweet spot for easy idle and starting, then modify the advance to give the balance of the advance.

[scapegoat]

My tab is at 2 o'clock. But my balancer is a 6-3/4". I probably could use a new balancer either way. What size should I get. I was thinking an 8" with a new timing tab for and 8" balancer.

[Frisco]

Originally Posted by scapegoat

I set my timing light at 36 degrees and revved the engine until it stopped advancing mechanically, around three grand. I then turned the distributor to where it wanted to be for my 36 degrees. Where I needed the timing mark on the balancer to be with the zero on the timing tab, the engine would pop through the carb.

Did you have the vacuum advance dis-connected and plugged when you did this adjustment?

If you did not, then the mechanical timing was not being set to the 36 degrees.

Dis-connect the vacuum advance hose from the vacuum advance cannister and plug it. Fire the engine up and get it to operating temps. Now do the same check and adjustment you previously did. After making the adjustment, re-connect the vacuum advance and road test.

[SSedan64]

Originally Posted by scapegoat

My tab is at 2 o'clock. But my balancer is a 6-3/4". I probably could use a new balancer either way. What size should I get. I was thinking an 8" with a new timing tab for and 8" balancer.

Here are all the GM sizes with part #'s for cross reference at the parts store.
http://www.chevytech.com/2c44.html

http://www.chevytech.com/2c44o1.html

http://www.chevytech.com/2c44o4.html

[scapegoat]

Originally Posted by Frisco

Did you have the vacuum advance dis-connected and plugged when you did this adjustment?

If you did not, then the mechanical timing was not being set to the 36 degrees.

Dis-connect the vacuum advance hose from the vacuum advance cannister and plug it. Fire the engine up and get it to operating temps. Now do the same check and adjustment you previously did. After making the adjustment, re-connect the vacuum advance and road test.

My carb does not have a timed vacuum port so I am not using the vacuum advance. Was I suppose to plug the port on the advance canister? I just left the canister open but I pluged all other vacuum ports.

[malc]

The instructions for my MSD distributor tell you to remove the cannister and lock the vacuum advance.
Which you can´t do with an HEI.


What model of Holley carb do you have ?

[scapegoat]

Its a proform hp style mechanical secondary.

http://www.jegs.com/p/Proform/753487/10002/-1/10271

[scapegoat]

So if I were to buy a new balancer, what diameter should I get and with which timing tab? I have a 355 sbc.

[malc]

I have a 355as well and I´m using a 6.5" balancer, a Summit piece good enough for low rpm´s on the street, I hardly ever exceed 4000.

I looked at the Proform baseplates and I see two vacuum ports, why has´nt yours got them ?
The rearmost is the one to use for your timing.

[scapegoat]

Originally Posted by malc

I have a 355as well and I´m using a 6.5" balancer, a Summit piece good enough for low rpm´s on the street, I hardly ever exceed 4000.

I looked at the Proform baseplates and I see two vacuum ports, why has´nt yours got them ?
The rearmost is the one to use for your timing.

As far as I know the three vacuum ports are all "full" vacuum. Do you think I should even bother with my old balancer? I have no idea how old it is.

[Frisco]

Originally Posted by scapegoat

As far as I know the three vacuum ports are all "full" vacuum. Do you think I should even bother with my old balancer? I have no idea how old it is.

One of the smaller ports is full manifold vacuum and one is timed (ported) vacuum.

I personally always use full manifold vacuum.

Use whichever works best for you.

[malc]

Originally Posted by scapegoat

As far as I know the three vacuum ports are all "full" vacuum. Do you think I should even bother with my old balancer? I have no idea how old it is.

"As far as you know", your using this stuff without reading up on it first and we go around in circles, get another bloody balancer if it´ll make you feel good.
I did tell you how to check if it showed TDC with the rotor at number one but you just ignored it and go on repeating the same old stuff.
I´m outta here.

[scapegoat]

What im saying is im done with the old balancers! I would like to buy a new one and was wondering which size to get and what timing tab to use. Im not waisting my time with a 30 year old balancer. I cant time the engine so something is wrong with one of the two, balancer/timing tab.

[scapegoat]

Originally Posted by malc

"As far as you know", your using this stuff without reading up on it first and we go around in circles, get another bloody balancer if it´ll make you feel good.
I did tell you how to check if it showed TDC with the rotor at number one but you just ignored it and go on repeating the same old stuff.
I´m outta here.

Im here to learn about the automotive hobby. I come here posting questions with things that I am having trouble with and to learn more about the hobby I love dearly. I help out with other members questions as well. This is an online forum after all. So if you don't have patence to help out then quit posting in the thread.