How much total advance?

-
mischiefdart

mischiefdart

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 30, 2010
Messages
1,431
Reaction score
94
Location
Newark DE
So I have an '83 318 with stock compression, a MP 220*@.050 .455" cam and TQ on a performer intake. Car is a '70 Dart with O/D 4 speed and 2.94 gear. I am recurving the distributor and was wondering how much total advance to run. Motor is pretty happy at 22* initial and I am not running vacuum advance. I am running just the light spring and welding up the slots to limit total advance. So 32* to 38* is what I have seen recommended. My question is because I have low compression would the motor run better with more advance?
 
If it starts ok at 22* initial, crank it up to 24* and see if it pings under load. You really would like to generally get the most advance that you can without having detonation issues.

Put a light on it and see where the total is and turn it up a couple degrees and drive it. One thing to remember, when you here it ping may not be where it's starting to ping. I always pull an extra degree or two out as a safety margin incase you get a bad batch of gas etc.

The reset the mechanical so you hit that total number using your 22* initial.

If you can dial in the vacuum advance, it will likely help with fuel mileage. It's just another area that takes some work to get right.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top