timing question

[iggys68dart]

i have a worn 79 318 in my 68 dart i was told to remove vacum line and set timing to 3 to 4 degrees above then attach vacum and bring idle down to 650 750 rpm does this sound about right also i was told when i change my plugs since i have electronic ignition i need to gap the plugs more any help will be great thanks

 

[fishy68]

Close. I think it's more like 5 btdc. Best bet is to look it up for your specific car as they did vary. I always go a couple extra degrees on a old engine also to help performance. Just watch for spark knock and back it off it it spark knocks. Attaching the vacuum advance line should not affect idle speed cause it should be connected to a ported vacuum source. If it does change when you hook it up it's hooked up on the wrong port on the carb. No need to gap the plugs wider. Mopars always used .035 for the gap whether points or electronic. If you have a MSD with a high perf coil you might be able to gain some perf. by gapping the plugs a little wider but not with stock ignition.

 

[iggys68dart]

darn it it sounding decennt being above but i will try it again when i get by my buddys , he has the timing light i thought i had it right so i will try again but its running decent right now but what you say makes sense as to is it to be on zero i dont know but that kinda makes sense thank you for yor input

 

[iggys68dart]

darn it sure is aggravating not knowing anything about some/ alot of this stuff . im a parts changer not a tech but theres always room for improvement so i will keep asking questions i just dont want to wear out my welcome as i have learned so much already thanks again guys and gals hopefully my old 68 will shine like you guys thanxs again

 

[fishy68]

darn it it sounding decennt being above but i will try it again when i get by my buddys , he has the timing light i thought i had it right so i will try again but its running decent right now but what you say makes sense as to is it to be on zero i dont know but that kinda makes sense thank you for yor input

Having a little trouble following you there other than you say it's running good now. What do you mean "being above"?

No problem on wearing out the welcome. That's why the board is here. It takes time to learn stuff like this and to me that's the fun part.

 

[iggys68dart]

well the thing i was going from is the top of the meter where the the arrow was and i was going by the mark i asumed what i was i supposed to gauge it by the meter i am speaking of is the the thing with the arrow pointinting towards the the thing thats spinning around with the hash marks please forgive if this sounds childish but i dont know and im not afraid or too proud to ask thanks again for your help being above i meant towards the plus sighn or towards top of motor or as facing car it would be counterclockwise