Hard Starting After Warmed Up.....Arrrg
So. I got 12° initial (idle) and 24° at approx 3000. That equals 36°..
Is this correct?
Oh god no. One of the other poster hit on this, it's initial + mechanical at 24*. Stop worrying about the vacuum can for the moment it's the LAST piece of the puzzle.
You CAN NOT just pick a RPM number to observe total timing. You need to rev the engine up until is stops advancing.
My guess is the distributor has one of the garage door size springs in it and will stop advancing around 4500 rpm.
My 2 cents, advance the initial timing and find the point that the car has a hard time starting, kickback or dragging the starter, and back it off a little from there, that's where initial should be. Then tailor the mechanical to hit your desired total number and change the spring for how quickly it comes in.
There are a ton of threads on this site regarding how to set timing along with some linked magazine article that are helpful.
Did I mention to stop worrying about the vacuum advance right now. LOL
http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/mopp-0301-mopar-electronic-ignition-system/
http://www.setyourtiming.com/Timing_Settings.html
The set your timing is good exept for the suggested 6-12 range for initial timing... that's BS. Set it where you engine wants it. Simple test on a SB, give the distributor a lite twist CCW, if it picked up RPM, it wants the timing.
