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Ignition timing - not sure what to do next....

1490 Views 6 Replies 3 Participants Last post by  [email protected]
Hi, looking for suggestions, I have just removed the Mallory dual point distributor from my 350 and replaced it with an original single point model. Reason for this is that the Mallory had no vacuum advance and I figured after reading up on the forum that for street use the motor would perform better with vacuum advance (which it does). An issue though, sometimes when I step on the gas after coasting the motor will give a single cough and then start to pull normally, this problem diminished a lot when I changed out the two heavy springs that came with the distributor for a light and medium spring, the advance is now all in around 2500 RPM and approx 35 deg BTDC with the vac disconnected and plugged. The motor winds over easily enough and there is no sign of detonation. Idle mixture is set at highest vac which was 17 In Hg.
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Hi, looking for suggestions, I have just removed the Mallory dual point distributor from my 350 and replaced it with an original single point model. Reason for this is that the Mallory had no vacuum advance and I figured after reading up on the forum that for street use the motor would perform better with vacuum advance (which it does). An issue though, sometimes when I step on the gas after coasting the motor will give a single cough and then start to pull normally, this problem diminished a lot when I changed out the two heavy springs that came with the distributor for a light and medium spring, the advance is now all in around 2500 RPM and approx 35 deg BTDC with the vac disconnected and plugged. The motor winds over easily enough and there is no sign of detonation. Idle mixture is set at highest vac which was 17 In Hg.

Under deceleration vacuum can go as high as 25 Hg which can pull oil past the piston rings and thru the intake valve guide. I don't know the condition of your engine but if it has a lot of miles the high vacuum could be coating the plugs with some oil which could cause a momentary missing condition. When running a vacuum advance shoot for 50-52 degrees total advance at cruising speeds. And then don't exceed 38 degrees mechanical advance. Remember, the vacuum advance doesn't work at all under full power and is there just for better fuel mileage.
your momentary cough may not be timing related.. check function of your carbs accelerator pump.. it should spray fuel at the slightest movement of the throttle
Seems it was an accelerator pump/idle mixture issue. I reset the acc pump to instructions I found online and also reset the idle mixture which seemed to have gone lean since adding the vacuum equipped distributor. Pick up from idle or over run is much improved and there is now very little popping from the exhaust on over run. Next mission is to decide whether to change out the Edelbrock torker manifold which I read are best suited for 2500 - 5500 rpm for say a performer EPS or performer 2101 both of which I can get for less $$ than a stock alloy manifold. Any thoughts suggestions as to best pick for cruising low rpm use. 2500 rpm is the open road speed limit here so a manifold biased above this range is not best suited for my use of the car. I need my drivers licence for work and if you get pulled for 140kmh plus here they will suspend your licence on the spot and impound your vehicle for a month as well :-(
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Seems it was an accelerator pump/idle mixture issue. I reset the acc pump to instructions I found online and also reset the idle mixture which seemed to have gone lean since adding the vacuum equipped distributor. Pick up from idle or over run is much improved and there is now very little popping from the exhaust on over run. Next mission is to decide whether to change out the Edelbrock torker manifold which I read are best suited for 2500 - 5500 rpm for say a performer EPS or performer 2101 both of which I can get for less $$ than a stock alloy manifold. Any thoughts suggestions as to best pick for cruising low rpm use. 2500 rpm is the open road speed limit here so a manifold biased above this range is not best suited for my use of the car. I need my drivers licence for work and if you get pulled for 140kmh plus here they will suspend your licence on the spot and impound your vehicle for a month as well :-(
I thought that was the problem from your description.. glad you got it cleared up..as to manifolds, the Edelbrock Performer is an excellent choice for your driving ..that Torker is better suited for hi-revving,big cam/big gear cars
Performer EPS fitted but found that the air filter was stopping the hood from closing. Seems I have an old 13.5" drop base air cleaner that is no longer available. I compared this to a new 14" one and found there was about a 1/4" - 3/8" difference in height. I modified the old one to drop it to the same height and all good. Gas milage seems to have improved a little and the engine pulls better at low rpm so more drivable:) So std dist and better manifold have been money well spent for what I use the car I think.
glad it worked out for you..the Torker was just not suited to your car or driving habits.. now enjoy
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