Initial timing how?

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Kevin D.

Kevin D.

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We all know advancing or retarding the timing is done with the distributor. How do you set the initial. If is there a screw or shim or what I am lost here. Need your help,Kevin.
 
what are you working on?

you do initial at idle and vac advance unhooked and plugged then turn the dist and line the mark up on the balancer with the number on the timing tab you want.
 
Initial timing is the timing setting at idle regardless what engine or dist. you have. If you look in your shop manual (or where ever else you look to find the timing setting) you'll see what the timing is to be set at. It's referring to initial timing. When you turn the dist. to advance or retard the timing your advancing or retarding it as a whole, initial and total.
 
fishy68 said:
Initial timing is the timing setting at idle regardless what engine or dist. you have. If you look in your shop manual (or where ever else you look to find the timing setting) you'll see what the timing is to be set at. It's referring to initial timing. When you turn the dist. to advance or retard the timing your advancing or retarding it as a whole, initial and total.
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I know how intial timing is found (with a light of course) but how is the total timing found (I know its from the advance) but how do you know how far in degrees your advancing?
 
66plyValiant said:
I know how intial timing is found (with a light of course) but how is the total timing found (I know its from the advance) but how do you know how far in degrees your advancing?
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total is found by revving the motor till the timing stops moving. thats your total. you'll need a dial timing light or timing tape on your balancer.
 
Kevin D. said:
Is initial timing tuneable if so how? Kevin.
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yes you just turn the dist. but that will also affect your total timing also. unless you have an aftermarket adjustable dist or you modify your stock unit what ever you move initial will also move your total the same amount in the same direction..
 
To throw a wrench in the works, be careful looking at aftermarket distributor advance curve charts, or for that matter, some factory ones.

Some charts showing how much is "in" the distributor advance, either mechanical or electrical, is specified in "distributor degrees," which is half of "crank degrees"
 
Kevin D. said:
Is initial timing tuneable if so how? Kevin.
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Well, to quote from my earlier reply

When you turn the dist. to advance or retard the timing your advancing or retarding it (timing) as a whole, initial and total.
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I thought that would make it clear enough. Turn the distributor and you affect initial timing. Turning the dist. also affects total timing. Just like Joe also said.
 
66plyValiant said:
I know how intial timing is found (with a light of course) but how is the total timing found (I know its from the advance) but how do you know how far in degrees your advancing?
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I know it's a related question but it would be so much better if you started your own thread with your question. It can get confusing when someone breaks in and asks a question that's different. Just sayin...

Joe answered but I'll put it another way. For the sake of using actual numbers lets say the initial timing is set at 5 degrees before TDC (with the vac advance unhooked and plugged). You then rev the engine up while watching the timing marks until it stops advancing more (you may have to rev it to 4000+ rpm to get full advance if the dist. is stock) and see how much it changes. (you need timing tape installed or a dial back light to see how much it changes). What ever it advances to is the total timing. Hopefully that's clearer than mud, LOL....
 
For an MSD distributer, set your initial timing at idle. After that chose the correct colored bushing (they come with the distributer) for the amount of total timing you want…..so for example if you have 12° initial and you want 32° total timing then you would want the bushing that gives you 20° advance. How you apply the advance has to do with the different colored springs that come with the kit.

I hope this helps.
 
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