I know I have been through this with you guys but I am having trouble timing my sbc. Its a 355 with a good cam and headers,holley double pumper,rpm intake. I am confused with the timing process. At idle I want 8-12 advanced and then 34-36 total at 3000rpm? I am confused at how I get these numbers.
Earlier today I went out and set my timing light to 10 advanced and found 0 on the timing tab. (i have an advanced timing light). So do I add 26 more to that when I rev it to 3000 to get my 36 degrees total? Or do I just bring the rpm's up to 3000 and then set it right a 36 degrees. I am not using my vacuum advanced, I have the vacuum port plugged also. I guess my question is how do I get my initial and my advanced? Do I add two numbers together to get my total 36 degrees?
For me it started at this post, you stated your carb has´nt got vacuum ports when it damn well has, this you ignored as well and went back to the balancer.
First of all check the stuff you have then if it´s wrong replace it.
There is more than enough info in this thread to do what you have to do.
Find top dead center and make a pointer out of an old coat hanger if you have to to get started.
Your next post should be thank you guys I got ´er dun.
I know my carb has vacuum ports, I just said that they are full manifold vacuum not timed. And the picture of the baseplate you posted is not totally like mine. Mine has the two in the front and one big one in the back. I know the one in the back is full vacuum and at least one of the two in the front is full as well. I havent checked the second one in the front yet for full or timed vacuum.
Im just waiting on a new balancer. Should be here in two days.
I was driving the truck around for about a week before the balancer issue. It ran okay and had a ton of power. It would annihilate the tires at 30mph and continue spinning all th way through drive. But at that point it was not timed with a light. I just set it until it sounded and performed okay. It got a little hot though. Thats why I was thinking I should time it. Incase its running hot because of it being out of time.
For me it started at this post, you stated your carb has´nt got vacuum ports when it damn well has, this you ignored as well and went back to the balancer.
First of all check the stuff you have then if it´s wrong replace it.
There is more than enough info in this thread to do what you have to do.
Find top dead center and make a pointer out of an old coat hanger if you have to to get started.
Your next post should be thank you guys I got ´er dun.
Amazing. Malc gives you excellent advice and a great article. You then flame him for questioning your dedidcation and your level of knowledge about YOUR OWN parts when you admit you didn't even read the instructions for your parts! Then you come up with the tired "this is an open forum and I am just trying to learn" B.S.!!! Now in your infinite wisdom you inform us all that you can't time your engine due to mismatched balancer and timing tab! Guess your original post wasn't needed, was it? Fix your mismatched parts, read the article that was suggested, and time your engine. Simple, no?
Another example of the new age rodder. Asks questions, doesn't understand the answers even though he says he is reading up on the subject, gets mad at somebody kind enough to post a reply, then diagnoses the problem himself by doing what he should have done in the first place; GETTING HIS HEAD UNDER THE HOOD OF HIS VEHICLE AND INVESTIGATING! That's the definition of hot rodding in my opinion. Far too many people are moving away from that I fear.
I know my carb has vacuum ports, I just said that they are full manifold vacuum not timed. And the picture of the baseplate you posted is not totally like mine. Mine has the two in the front and one big one in the back. I know the one in the back is full vacuum and at least one of the two in the front is full as well. I havent checked the second one in the front yet for full or timed vacuum.
You probably do not need this item based on what you've posted.
scapegoat said:
I was driving the truck around for about a week before the balancer issue. It ran okay and had a ton of power. It would annihilate the tires at 30mph and continue spinning all th way through drive. But at that point it was not timed with a light. I just set it until it sounded and performed okay. It got a little hot though. Thats why I was thinking I should time it. Incase its running hot because of it being out of time.
Your original question concerning the timing was answered several times, by different folks.
Your second (sort of) question about whether or not you had a timed vacuum port on your carb was answered and you eventually stated that indeed you did have three on your carb (this was after you stated that your carb did not have a vacuum port).
Your third question concerning the harmonic balancer was also answered several times, by different folks.
Now it seems like you want to have a pissin' contest with some of the folks that attempted to assist you. :nono:
Did you ever drive it to the exhaust shop to get your pipes hooked up?
Did you ever set your timing correctly?
I think this thread is ready to be either CLOSED or sent to the DUMP.
What ever happened to the link to "REPORT THIS THREAD"???
I did not say that I didn't have vacuum ports. You are putting words in my mouth. I said I didnt have a timed vacuum port. Where are you guys getting all this stuff I never posted?
I did not say that I didn't have vacuum ports. You are putting words in my mouth. I said I didnt have a timed vacuum port. Where are you guys getting all this stuff I never posted?
Oh my goodness... this started out as your standard run-of-the-mill basic timing troubleshooting... then UGH... all of this "old timers" versus "noobs" nonsense.
There always have been and always will be cranky people on this forum. That won't change.
And there will always be a search feature, a knowledge base, etc, but that doesn't mean people will use it wisely.
It's not about how old you are, or how much you know, it's about a passion for cars, engines, etc. etc.
Chill out everybody.
That's all, end of my rant.
On another note, good luck with your timing issue! get yourself a TDC checker tool (vented) and a cam degreeing wheel. Mark your balancer properly (mark the inner and outer rings so that you can check for slippage down the road). Time the engine for 36-38 degrees full advance, and go drive it. After you're done at the exhaust shop, then follow up and re-check the timing.
Again, the knowledge base. A fantastic article on why manifold vacuum is better than ported vacuum for most street driven engines. Do you know how to look something up in the knowledge base?
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