67-Initial Timing-4 or 12 degrees ??

[jims427400]

After getting my carbs back on,the rebuilder recommended that I set Initial timing at 12 dedrees.But when I looked through all my spec.books,they indicate 4 degrees.Any thoughts??

 

[67l36driver]

Disconnect your vacume advance, mark crank damper for 36 deg BTDC and set timing there with the mechanical advance all in. Remove one of the advance springs to achive total advance at a resonable engine speed while doing this. Reconnect vacume line and replace advance spring(s). Set curb idle and mixture (use a vacume guage) at whatever rpm the tune up guide calls for.
Giving a 4* or 12* BTDC figure is misleading at best.
If you get spark knock, back off initial timing 2* and/or modify your vacume advance can to limit travel. I understand that Accel makes an adjustable one. Hook your vacume advance to manifold vacume (i.e. not 'ported').

 

[BarryK]

Jim
I'd go by the specs listed in the shop manual for your car.
than if you need, go onto my website onto the Tech Articles page I have and download and read the two articles I have by JohnZ (John Hinckley) called "Timing 101.pdf" and "Mapping Advance.pdf". John's articles will lead you step by step the best way to set up the proper timing on your car and you know it will be correct.

 

[JohnZ]

If your distributor still has the stock centrifugal advance curve in it (which was 32* at 5000 rpm), you should stick with the "book" 4* initial timing (with the vacuum advance disconnected and plugged) so your max total timing is no more than 36* (4* plus 32*). It'll run better with 10*-12* initial, but that would give you total timing of 44*, which will result in serious detonation; in order to run 10*-12* initial, you need to have the centrifugal advance re-curved so it only adds 24*, preferably all in by 2800 rpm.

Read the two papers Barry mentioned and you'll understand the timing and advance scenario and why it's important. Until you "map" the distributor and know what kind of advance curve is in it, stick with 4* initial timing.

 

[jims427400]

Barry and John,
I've read both of your articles,actually several times trying to get the material to click.It's been a while since I've tapped into a distributor.
I'm going to stick w/ 4*(was just currious why Craig told me 12)Anyway I've got the timing light from sears and going to look for a dwell meter next.
I will keep you posted.

Barry, have you recieved your carb back? Havent heard you mention it for a while?

 

[BarryK]

nope, still waiting.

I spoke to him about 10 days ago and he said it was going to be ready last week but I never heard from him so he could get my CC info to bill it and ship it to me and I tried calling a few times and he doesn't answer. I'll be on the phone first thing in the morning again tomorrow to see what the hold-up is.

He may be good at carbs but his reliability on promised time leaves a bit to be desired and he is almost impossible to get hold of on the phone most of the time!
this is the second time he promised me a date of completion and missed it.
i'm starting to get a bit upset.

Barry

 

[jims427400]

Barry,I agree w/your frustration,it must have been the refinishing process that is taking so long.I started my car last week after installing carbs but havent finnished w/the rest of the timing.Still have to install coil,plugs,dist. and rotor.Then the true test to see how they all work.
Good luck w/ your call tomarrow.I actually tried calling him this afternoon to have him explain why he recommended 12*for timing,but no answer.

 

[BarryK]

Jim
yes, it's the refinishing/replating that is the hold up.
I called him about it approx 3 weeks ago as soon as he returned from vacation and he said my carb was in pieces and ready to go out for replating on the coming up Monday (it was a Thrus or Fri I called). I gave it about a week and called him again and he said the same thing, that my carb was there and ready to send out for replating. So, i don't know what happened to that week in-between and why it wasn't sent out but he said on that second call that it was going to be done and ready last week. When I try calling I get no answer.
sigh......... it's always something. I guess after my paint job last year I should have learned patience.

 

[BarryK]

YAY!! carb is done and should ship out today ot tomorrow!

 

[jims427400]

Barry,I thought you would have been more excited.I'm sure you'll be sending some pics as soon as you get it back.Good luck..
Hey, just cureous did Craig recommend any timing specs for you to use?

 

[BarryK]

Jim
I didn't speak to Craig today. I called him first thing this morning but he was out. Than a few hours later a girl from his place called, told me it was ready and got my CC info to bill it and ship t.
i'm going to go by the specs in my shop manual and follow JohnZ's papers when I set the timing and I'll probably use a vacuum gauge to set the mixture and idle on the carb unless someone suggests anything better.

 

[jims427400]

Barry,
I have'nt thought about mixture.Craig said that was all set.Guess I will look for a vacuum guage also.Maybe we should have a tune-up party.You ever going to be in Toledo area? I'm like you, ask alot of questions and don't want to screw anything up.. Jim

 

[BarryK]

Jim
I've been told by more than one person that I'll have to se idle and mixture as these can't be properly set on the bench.
This will be the first time I get to use my new vacuum gauge.

A tune-up party would be fun but you are just a bit too fat away unfortunately. But hey, if you want to make the drive you are welcome to come here and use my new vacuum gauge also

 

[jims427400]

Barry,
I agree,too bad we all are so far away.Going to try to talk the little misses into going to one of the vette meetings this year.
Am going to herbs lift off party this saturday,(wife did say not to get any ideas though)
Maybe I can get a crash course on mapping my distributor..

 

[BarryK]

Jim
you WILL be going to Carlisle this year I assume. register with the '63-'67 Registry and you can park in there with a lot of us

 

[jims427400]

Do you have the dates,I'll have to check my schedule.Sounds good though

 

[BarryK]

Jim
always the last weekend in Aug.
this year it's the 25th, 26th, 27th

better register with the 63-67 registry, than register with Carlisle for the show (list the registry as your "club" to park there), than get on the phone and find a hotel room. Carlisle itself is probably already booked so also try hotels in Harrisburg, Mechanicburg, Camp Hill, etc.

 

[jims427400]

Thanks Barry for Carlisle info. Will work on those dates soon.Have not driven my car verry far for an extended trip.Have try some small trips in spring and check things out.