Timing issues with new MSD distributor

[Cuztom Racing]

Ok guys I just put a new MSD HEI distributor in my 86 blazer. This is my first time doing this and the vacume timing advance is all new to me. The motor will crank, idle and drive at low rpm fine but when you get in the gas it lays down like the timing is advanced to much. I have not put a timing light on it yet but I think its close. I think it may be a issue with the vacume advance. Can you guys help me on where the vacume timing needs to be set and if i need to put in the bracket that limits the amout of timing advance? Thanks guys cuz I dont have a glue!

 

[throttleissues]

It sounds to me like it's retarded too far. The vac advance may be getting it close enough to run decent, then when you lean on it and lose the vac adv, it just bogs. Definitely put a light on it to get your baseline, but I wouldn't think you need to limit vac advance anyway.

 

[Cuztom Racing]

Ok i just got a light and bought to see where she is at.

 

[Cuztom Racing]

Well now I cant even get it to stay running long enough to get the light on it and now the battery is dead. But its coughing back through the carb bad. Thats a sign the timing is retarded huh?

 

[throttleissues]

There's really no telling for sure where it's at by symptoms, since it could be slightly off or 180 out. Once the batt is charged enough, you could get a rough timing setting by checking it while it's cranking. It's either that or sight it in with the harmonic balancer on TDC. Of course, you'll need to make sure it's really on #1 for that to be a sure thing.

 

[Cuztom Racing]

Ok I got a buddy to jump me off and got it fired back up and got the light on it. The timing was way retarded! I got it in the ballpark and its running alot better. I'll take it down the road tomorrow to see how it does...