Setting timing

[Dafey]

I know how to set the timing but WHAT do I set it at(tag on Radiator is long gone) . The booklet says to set the dial at the desired advance then turn dist until the marks reads 0. So what do I set the dial at??


My trucks pinging BAD at 1/2 throttle all of the sudden,a little bit or almost floored is fine,after I got cheap gas.I ran that tank out and filled up with premium ( ouch ).I just did a major tune-up (including a coil,last one had a broken wire)before this and it ran fine for over a month.

 

[4X4HIGH]

For a 77 model i would go anywhere between 4-6* advanced. Make sure the vacuum advance is disconnected and plugged when setting timing.

 

[blazin_blazer]

iirc...its somewhere between 28-34* adv. if you have access to a vaccum gauge set it to pull the highest amount of vaccum.

 

[blazin_blazer]

4x4hi....its that low....what is it i here about 32-34* adv.? is that how much the vaccume advance advances? i use a vaccume gauge.

 

[pvfjr]

iirc...its somewhere between 28-34* adv. if you have access to a vaccum gauge set it to pull the highest amount of vaccum.

Uhh.....not at idle.

 

[pvfjr]

4x4hi....its that low....what is it i here about 32-34* adv.? i use a vaccume gauge.

That could be total advance at high rpm with mechanical advance and vacuum advance both doing their jobs. But you set it at idle, so that would be bad.

 

[blazin_blazer]

i know on dirt track cars they dead lock the mechanical advance(advanced) and set it @34* adv. they say it does away w/hesitation when you romp on it.

 

[4X4HIGH]

4x4hi....its that low....what is it i here about 32-34* adv.? is that how much the vaccume advance advances? i use a vaccume gauge.

On a vehicle with vacuum and mechanical advance you want 36* total timing and best if it's all in by 1500-1800 RPM's

If you have a fancy type timing light you can figure out how much vacuum advance can be achieved and also how much mechanical advance then add your base (initial) and you have the total timing. There are adjustable vacuum advance units so you can limit the amount of vacuum advance then you can also buy a re-curve kit to play with the mechanical portion as well.

 

[Dafey]

That could be total advance at high rpm with mechanical advance and vacuum advance both doing their jobs. But you set it at idle, so that would be bad.

Yeah IF I had a a way to pull a vac , that how the booklet says how to do it.


Thanks guys I`ll try 4 to 6 degrees tomorrow and see if it goes away.I still dont know what happend.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Double check your firing order since you said you just did a major tune-up. I've done it myself and accidently got 2 wires crossed. This will cause your problem as well.

Also if you have the fancy timing light then move the dial to 4* and then move the distributor until you line the timing marks up on zero (TDC).

 

[blazin_blazer]

speaking of tdc, did you guys know....i just recently found this out.....that when the woodruff key is at 12 oclock its at tdc, either exh. or comp......you cant see it when pulley is on there, but when building 1, if both #1 valves are closed and woodruff key is dead on top its at tdc of compression stroke.

 

[K-5 Bomber]

A source of frustration for me as well. I haven't been able to read my timing tab since I bought this truck. The label says to set the timing at 6*...but where is that on the tab? Anyone got a pic of a legible tab?

 

[Dafey]

I set the dial at 6* and turned the dist till it was on 0* on the timing tab.
No more pinging and it feels like a tiny bit more power too.

Thanks for all the help guys!