quick question on timing - Moparts Forums

Register Log In Moparts Forums Moparts Question and Answer quick question on timing

Print Thread

Page 1 of 3

1

2

3

quick question on timing #1197065 03/14/12 05:02 PM 03/14/12 05:02 PM
Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana P pjc360 OP mopar
pjc360 OP mopar P Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana	Bear with me here i just barley learned about timing and how to do it. I'm trying to time my engine and its a 360 magnum in a 1991 dodge truck 4x4 its been dynoed before and its putting out 319 hp and 424 ft lbs of torque, as of right now i set my initial timning at 10 degrees then i reved up to 3000 rpm and set mechanical timing at 35 degrees then i backed off and checked my initial again and it dropped to 8 degrees. This is a long curve correct? and is this too much timing? 8 degreres initial plus 35 at 3000 rpm is 42 or 43 degrees total timing, strange thing is i do not hear any pinging at all while accelerating under load but that may be because i am running 91 octane fuel the compression ratio is 9 to 5 to 1. I have read that magnum engines run best with a total timing of 32 to 36 degrees of total timing, so if i wanted to get a total of say 36 degrees of total timing i would have to leave my initial where it is at 8 degrees and rev up to 3000 rpm and pull it back untill it read 30 degrees on my dial back light and then i'd have to back off on the gas and check my initial timing again and if i pull it back to 30 degrees at 3000 rpm that should dropm my initial 2 degrees so that would drop it from 8 degrees to 6 degrees and adding 6 degrees initial to 30 degrees mechanical that would be a total of 36 degrees total timing. Should i set my total timing at 36 degrees or is it ok for me to leave it at 42 degrees because i am running higher octane fuel? i have talked to some guys who say they advance there timing untill they hear pinging and then they back it off a couple degrees and run it that way. So since i dont hear any pinging am i safe to run it at 42 degrees total timing as long as i keep running 91 octane fuel thru it?

Re: quick question on timing [Re: pjc360] #1197066 03/14/12 05:14 PM 03/14/12 05:14 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,602 westerly, ri. usa 4 440lebaron top fuel
440lebaron top fuel 4 Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,602 westerly, ri. usa	if you have 35 degress at 3000 rpm that is your total timing all parts are sold as is, all parts are considered used no warranties or returns paypal/check/money order, shipping is from zip 02891, buyer pays paypal fees 24% IRS 1099A plus 3% of part price, check/money order preferred site is not monitored 24/7 there might be a delay in response

Re: quick question on timing [Re: 440lebaron] #1197067 03/14/12 05:21 PM 03/14/12 05:21 PM
Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana P pjc360 OP mopar
pjc360 OP mopar P Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana	I thought you always added your initial timing to your mechanical timing to get your total timing. My mechanical timing is set at 35 degrees at 3000 rpm but when i back off the throttle and let it go back to an idle and check my initial timing its set at 8 degrees initial. So therefore id subtract 8 from 35 wich is 27 so i have 27 degrees of centrigul advance in my distributer. And when you add 35 degrees mechanical plus 8 degrees initial that is 43 degrees total timing.

Re: quick question on timing [Re: pjc360] #1197068 03/14/12 05:25 PM 03/14/12 05:25 PM
Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana P pjc360 OP mopar
pjc360 OP mopar P Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana	It's looking lie i might need a re-curve in the distributer but for now its set at 8 degrees initial plus 35 degrees mechanical for a total timing of 43 degrees wich sounds pretty high but running higher octane fuel should make up for some of it correct? since 91 octane burns slower then 87 i should be safe to run at 42 to 43 degrees total timing on higher octane fuel.

Re: quick question on timing [Re: 440lebaron] #1197069 03/14/12 05:25 PM 03/14/12 05:25 PM
Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada DaytonaTurbo Too Many Posts
DaytonaTurbo Too Many Posts Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada	Total timing(with vacuum advance disconnected) = initial + mechanical advance So in your case you have Total timing of 35 = 8 initial + 27 mechanical. If you recurved your distributor advance, to say have 21 mechanical, you could still have a Total timing of 35 but this would bring your initial up to 14. For example Total timing 35 = 14 initial + 21 mechanical.

Re: quick question on timing [Re: DaytonaTurbo] #1197070 03/14/12 05:29 PM 03/14/12 05:29 PM
Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana P pjc360 OP mopar
pjc360 OP mopar P Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana	Yes sorry the whole while having the vaccume advance plugged off. And yes i have been told its time for a re-curve how do i do that? and where can i buy the parts for the mopar electronic distributer with vaccume advance? And i wish somone whould answer my original question, with 8 degrees initial timing and 35 degrees mechanical that is a total of 43 degrees total timing, is this too much timing while running 91 octane? i have not heard any pinging under load so i'm guessing i am not hurting anything running the toal timing that high because i am running 91 octane fuel.

Re: quick question on timing [Re: pjc360] #1197071 03/14/12 05:32 PM 03/14/12 05:32 PM
Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada DaytonaTurbo Too Many Posts
DaytonaTurbo Too Many Posts Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada	Quote: Yes sorry the whole while having the vaccume advance plugged off. And yes i have been told its time for a re-curve how do i do that? and where can i buy the parts for the mopar electronic distributer with vaccume advance? And i wish somone whould answer my original question, with 8 degrees initial timing and 35 degrees mechanical that is a total of 43 degrees total timing, is this too much timing while running 91 octane? i have not heard any pinging under load so i'm guessing i am not hurting anything running the toal timing that high because i am running 91 octane fuel. SLOWLY re-read my post until it makes sense. I did answer your original question. 35 is you total timing, not 43.

Re: quick question on timing [Re: pjc360] #1197072 03/14/12 05:34 PM 03/14/12 05:34 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,602 westerly, ri. usa 4 440lebaron top fuel
440lebaron top fuel 4 Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,602 westerly, ri. usa	43 is on the high side with todays gas even if you dont hear it ping. but 35 at 3000 is your TOTAL timing all parts are sold as is, all parts are considered used no warranties or returns paypal/check/money order, shipping is from zip 02891, buyer pays paypal fees 24% IRS 1099A plus 3% of part price, check/money order preferred site is not monitored 24/7 there might be a delay in response

Re: quick question on timing [Re: pjc360] #1197073 03/14/12 05:35 PM 03/14/12 05:35 PM
Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana P pjc360 OP mopar
pjc360 OP mopar P Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana	OHHHH i get it, so i was adding it up wrong the entire time, i was adding the initial timing plus the mechanical timing, but all i have to do is add initial to the mechanical advance toi get the total timing, so yes i am running at 35 degrees. And keep in mind this is in a 4x4 truck wich i have been told its better to have a long curve in a heavy truck, correct?

Re: quick question on timing [Re: pjc360] #1197074 03/14/12 06:21 PM 03/14/12 06:21 PM
Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana P pjc360 OP mopar
pjc360 OP mopar P Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana	So to correctly time my 360 magnum i will need to leave the initial timing at 8 degrees then slowly rev up while shining the light on the balancer and keep reving up untill the distributer stops advancing and set it to 35 degrees at the rpm where it stops advancing correct? then i add the initial timing timing to the mechanical advance to get my totoal timing and if i want to change the mechanical advance i will need to get a spring kit for my distributer correct?

Re: quick question on timing [Re: pjc360] #1197075 03/14/12 08:17 PM 03/14/12 08:17 PM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska R RapidRobert Circle Track
RapidRobert Circle Track R Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska	you subtract initial (8) from the total (35) to get the mechanical amt (vac adv capped as you said). I'd want more than 8 initial which means the slots will need to be shortened to maintain the correct total which MAY be 31 instead of 35 on a magnum. With that finalized then lighter springs staying just under the pinging point at WOT then plug in your vac adv & staying just under the pinging point at minimum part throttle (high vacuum) at an RPM where the slots are maxed out as in out on the highway at a light throttle cruise. EDIT the light spring kit will change how fast the mechanical adv comes in & shortening the slots will reduce the amount of mechanical adv Last edited by RapidRobert; 03/14/12 08:29 PM. live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth

Re: quick question on timing [Re: RapidRobert] #1197076 03/14/12 10:37 PM 03/14/12 10:37 PM
Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana P pjc360 OP mopar
pjc360 OP mopar P Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana	So how do i shorten the slots in the distributer to change the amount of mechanical advance? right now its at 27 i have been told it would be best drop it down to aroun 21 to 24 that way i can bump the initial up to around 12 or 14 or even 16 and maintain 35 degrees total timing. If i dropped my total timing down to 31 or 32 that would drop my initial timing down to around 5 degrees. I will drop it to 32 degrees total timing and drive around when i change the timing i just time my 0 to 60 and see what timing total gets me there the fastest and 35 degrees total seems to be its best. Is 8 degrees initial and total timing being 35 degrees with 27 degrees mechanical advance not a good timing set up on a 360 magnum thats in a four wheel drive truck? remember this engine is not in a hot rod car but in a torquey four wheel drive truck, i am after torque more then horse power.

Re: quick question on timing [Re: pjc360] #1197077 03/14/12 10:45 PM 03/14/12 10:45 PM
Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana P pjc360 OP mopar
pjc360 OP mopar P Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana	The truck used to belong to my father but he passed away a year and a half ago he had this same 360 magnum same ignition and distributer in an older 75 dodge truck but he took it out and had it bolted into a 91 but didnt have all the wiring finished, i finished the wiring and got it running and now i am just trying to figure out where to set the timing, i'm thinking running it at 8 degrees initial and 35 total has to be close to where he always ran it because if i could get a higher initial that would mean he had already shortend the distributer slots correct? he had this engine dynoed a few years ago and its putting out 319 horse power and 424 ft lbs of torque, found the dyno sheet in his paperwork in the garage. I'm thinking he had to of had the timing set in the same ball park that i have it at now becaused if i could turn up the initial without affecting the total timing that would have to mean that he had shortend the distributer slots already to get a higher initial. right? and he knew alot more about mopar's and this engine in particular then i do and i think if he thought he'd get more power by shortening the distributer slots then he would have done it.

Re: quick question on timing [Re: pjc360] #1197078 03/15/12 01:20 AM 03/15/12 01:20 AM
Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada DaytonaTurbo Too Many Posts
DaytonaTurbo Too Many Posts Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada	To shorten the slots, it depends on the distributor. A stock distributor you typically have to weld the slots partially closed and slowly open them up with a die grinder or file. Aftermarket distributors usually use bushings to limit travel or have an adjustable tab. Quote: i think if he thought he'd get more power by shortening the distributer slots then he would have done it. Don't bet on it. Ignition timing curve seems to be black magic to most of the guys that come on here. So many guys come on here complaining about carb problems and spend hours fiddling with it even after being told on here they need to sort out their ignition timing FIRST.

Re: quick question on timing [Re: DaytonaTurbo] #1197079 03/15/12 01:27 AM 03/15/12 01:27 AM
Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana P pjc360 OP mopar
pjc360 OP mopar P Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana	trust me he's know about getting performance by shortening the slots, many guys will tell you he was the smartes mopar guy they have ever met, ether he didnt think the performance gain was worth shortening the slots or he was just being lazy and didnt cause that man knew so much about mopar, he had a 70 plymouth cuda 440-6 pack car a 71 cuda 340 car and a 70 roadrunner 440 4 barrell car and a 70 super beed with a 440 he had been around some many mopars for so many years raced them worked on them you name it.

Re: quick question on timing [Re: pjc360] #1197080 03/15/12 02:10 AM 03/15/12 02:10 AM
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 12,271 Overpriced Housing Central RobX4406 I Live Here
RobX4406 I Live Here Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 12,271 Overpriced Housing Central	LAZY, end of story! If someone told me a car that wants 14-16* initial will run as good with 6* initial, I'll show you someone too lazy to sort out a distributor or ignition curve. See for yourself how much snappier the engine will be with 14* when cracking the throttle versus the 6*. Idle quality will be a million times better. Each of those two settings require vastly different carb settings. Daytona summation that plenty of carb problems are really based in the ignition system is 100% correct! I know PLENTY of people that will swear you should time a car based on the 1970 specs. Go ahead and do that, when another of the same car runs circles around it because the tune up is right, you'll know why.

Re: quick question on timing [Re: RobX4406] #1197081 03/15/12 02:28 AM 03/15/12 02:28 AM
Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada DaytonaTurbo Too Many Posts
DaytonaTurbo Too Many Posts Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada	Lazy or uneducated. There have been a TON of guys come on here who've built solid 350-500hp engines. And so many of them have that deer in the headlights response when you ask them what they've done to the ignition curve. Seems nobody wants to touch the distributor but will gladly chase the problem around by playing with jets and squirters. Stock distributors had lousy curves for stock engines, never mind modded ones. If that was my engine, I would do the following: Warm the engine up good and hot to normal operating temp. Pull out the timing gun and set the timing at 10. Shut off and see how it restarts. Repeat this procedure while bumping the timing up by 2 at a time until the engine starts fighting against the starter. You will know by sound/feel. Then back the timing off 2 degrees and see how it restarts hot. When you get it to start fine again with as much initial timing as possible, THIS is your initial timing. Then shorten the advance slots to get 34-36* or so total timing. I think that's what magnums like. Too much timing can actually make less power, even though you don't hear it pinging. Typical small blocks with open chambered heads will take more timing, like 36-38. Different springs will adjust the rate at which the advance comes in and the rpm total advance is all in at. You can have total all in at 3000rpm or at 2000rpm depending on how you set it up. In a 4x4, you probably don't need all the timing in overly early if you're going to be putting a load on it while 4x4ing. But get your initial set to where it should be, probably in the 12-15 range and enjoy increased throttle response, cleaner burn and better low rpm power.

Re: quick question on timing [Re: DaytonaTurbo] #1197082 03/15/12 12:25 PM 03/15/12 12:25 PM
Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana P pjc360 OP mopar
pjc360 OP mopar P Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana	Ok, so i advanced the distributer to 12 degrees and it still started so i went to advance it a little more and the distributer would not advance any further then 12 degrees, whats going on here? the distributer is not hitting anything ether? i dont get it? is it possible my old man put it in there to where it could not be advanced any further then 12 degrees? do i need to pull it out and put it back in at a different position?

Re: quick question on timing [Re: pjc360] #1197083 03/15/12 12:43 PM 03/15/12 12:43 PM
Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 632 MD-USA D Dodgeguy101 mopar
Dodgeguy101 mopar D Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 632 MD-USA	Quote: Ok, so i advanced the distributer to 12 degrees and it still started so i went to advance it a little more and the distributer would not advance any further then 12 degrees, whats going on here? the distributer is not hitting anything ether? i dont get it? is it possible my old man put it in there to where it could not be advanced any further then 12 degrees? do i need to pull it out and put it back in at a different position? I believe you can rotate the distributor back the other way and move your wires one position would be the easiest, than start over with the timing to get to where you want it. but others know more than I do. Probably didn't explain that very well.

Re: quick question on timing [Re: Dodgeguy101] #1197084 03/15/12 02:21 PM 03/15/12 02:21 PM
Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada DaytonaTurbo Too Many Posts
DaytonaTurbo Too Many Posts Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada	Are you saying the distributor physically won't turn any further? Are the plug wires binding or being pulled tight? If they are you can move each plug wire over by one pole. This will throw your timing off so you will need to rotate the distributor back a bit to make up for this.

Re: quick question on timing [Re: DaytonaTurbo] #1197085 03/15/12 09:00 PM 03/15/12 09:00 PM
Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana P pjc360 OP mopar
pjc360 OP mopar P Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana	yes the distributer physical will not turn any further and no none of the plug wires are binding and they plug wires are not keeping the distributer from advancing any further it just flat out will not turn any further then 12 degrees initial.

Re: quick question on timing [Re: pjc360] #1197086 03/15/12 09:06 PM 03/15/12 09:06 PM
Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana P pjc360 OP mopar
pjc360 OP mopar P Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana	Ether way i wll have to shorten the distributer slots in the distributer to be able to get a higher initial wihout affecting my total timing. I was talking to a fairly knowledgable mopar guy today in person at my house and he told me i dont want to shorten the slots because that will kill my top end? he said if you want better low end power the gear down lower but dont mess with them distributer slots, he said you have a 360 magnum correct? i said ya he said set your total timing 32 degrees and let the initial land where ever it lands he said dont worry about the initial timing the totalm timing is way more important.

Re: quick question on timing [Re: pjc360] #1197087 03/15/12 10:29 PM 03/15/12 10:29 PM
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 12,271 Overpriced Housing Central RobX4406 I Live Here
RobX4406 I Live Here Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 12,271 Overpriced Housing Central	Quote: Ether way i wll have to shorten the distributer slots in the distributer to be able to get a higher initial wihout affecting my total timing. I was talking to a fairly knowledgable mopar guy today in person at my house and he told me i dont want to shorten the slots because that will kill my top end? he said if you want better low end power the gear down lower but dont mess with them distributer slots, he said you have a 360 magnum correct? i said ya he said set your total timing 32 degrees and let the initial land where ever it lands he said dont worry about the initial timing the totalm timing is way more important. Yeah stick with those smart people you appear to get advice from. How exactly if the total number, which is fully in anywhere above where it stops advancing is going to hurt top end... that's genius right there! Total is a fine method if all you do is run at the strip with no concern for idle quality. You got good advice here and at FABO about how to do it on your street driven car. My suggestion, pick a method and go with it. One way is better than the other and it's like a brick wall sometimes because some are still stuck in the 80's with a mopar performance chassis or engine book. Mopar SB distributors will spin 360* if there is no interference. Something is inhibiting your ability to advance it further. If it has a vacuum can on it, could be that, usually. The wires from the pickup... could be that too.

Re: quick question on timing [Re: RobX4406] #1197088 03/16/12 01:02 AM 03/16/12 01:02 AM
Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana P pjc360 OP mopar
pjc360 OP mopar P Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana	Hey i never said the guy was right, i was just saying what he told me? i dint say i believed him or anything he just knows some stuff on mopars but obviously not everything. Who can i send my distributer too to get the slots shortend? or can i buy a mopar distributer with shorter slots? advice please because i'd like to get a higher initial.

Re: quick question on timing [Re: pjc360] #1197089 03/16/12 02:11 AM 03/16/12 02:11 AM
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 12,271 Overpriced Housing Central RobX4406 I Live Here
RobX4406 I Live Here Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 12,271 Overpriced Housing Central	Know someone with a MIG welder? That and a dremel will fix you up. There's a chart with slot lengths for advance amounts for stock distributors. Stock style distributor, get a diagram for taking it apart. There's a snap clip down the center of the shaft up top to remove the top plate. You can do the whole deal in about 1 hr if you are quick.

Re: quick question on timing [Re: RobX4406] #1197090 03/16/12 03:26 AM 03/16/12 03:26 AM
Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada DaytonaTurbo Too Many Posts
DaytonaTurbo Too Many Posts Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada	So after talking to this "knowledgeable" mopar guy I hope you now know why we questioned whether or not your dad knew how to setup the distributor when he built the engine. For reference, here's a chart with slot lengths. You have to multiply the distributor degrees x2 to get mechanical advance. Quote: dist. degrees X 2 + initial= total dist. degrees / slot size 6.............. .340 7............... .355 8............... .375 9............... .390 10.............. .405 11.5 ........... .420 12.............. .435 13.............. .445 14.............. .460 15.............. .475 16.............. .490 17.............. .505 18.............. .520 So if you wanted 20* of mechanical advance you'd need about a .400 slot. Add 15 initial to that and you get 35 total. Also, when you start revving up the engine, what rpm is your total advance all in by? Total advance and the rate at which it comes in are both things you dial in when you setup a distributor.

Re: quick question on timing [Re: DaytonaTurbo] #1197091 03/16/12 05:58 PM 03/16/12 05:58 PM
Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana P pjc360 OP mopar
pjc360 OP mopar P Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana	I dont think my old man even touched the distributer, i think he just bolted the mopar distributer that came with the crate engine in and dialed in the total timing and let the initial fall wherever it fell. That being said the magnum engines require 32 degrees total timing, if i run 91 octane fuel could i bump it up to 36 degrees? the compression ratio is not low but not extremley high ether its 9 to 5 to 1. And i will take my distributer out soon and get the slots shortened to around 20 degrees mechanical advance so i can run 12 to 15 degrees of initial timing.Oh and my mechanical advance is all in at about 2500 rpm.

Re: quick question on timing [Re: pjc360] #1197092 03/16/12 06:05 PM 03/16/12 06:05 PM
Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana P pjc360 OP mopar
pjc360 OP mopar P Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana	sounds like its the stock set up to me 27 degrees of mechanical adavance all in at 2500 rpm, does that sound like the stock mopar distributer to you guys? and another question i have since the engine is in a four wheel drive truck what would be the best rpm range to have the mechanical advance all in by? is 2500 degrees fine or could i benefit from making it come in even later like 2800 to 3000 rpm since its in a heavier vehicle?

Re: quick question on timing [Re: pjc360] #1197093 03/16/12 06:15 PM 03/16/12 06:15 PM
Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 2,154 Its a TRAP! DARTH V8Я Oh No!! I just had a moron attack!
DARTH V8Я Oh No!! I just had a moron attack! Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 2,154 Its a TRAP!	My stock dizzy advances right to about 3300 or so, then at 3800 it would advance a little more again.. 5 degrees maybe(?). Dogleg curve.

Re: quick question on timing [Re: DARTH V8Я] #1197094 03/16/12 09:17 PM 03/16/12 09:17 PM
Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada DaytonaTurbo Too Many Posts
DaytonaTurbo Too Many Posts Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada	I think you'll be fine leaving the spring as-is. If your CR isn't overly high you should be fine.

Re: quick question on timing [Re: DaytonaTurbo] #1197095 03/16/12 09:28 PM 03/16/12 09:28 PM
Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana P pjc360 OP mopar
pjc360 OP mopar P Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana	so with a higher compression engine you want the mechanical advance to come in sooner or later? and now all i have to do is find somone who has a mig welder and knows how to dis assemble a mopar distributer and i will get the slots shortend and be able to run a higher initial.

Re: quick question on timing [Re: pjc360] #1197096 03/16/12 09:59 PM 03/16/12 09:59 PM
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 12,271 Overpriced Housing Central RobX4406 I Live Here
RobX4406 I Live Here Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 12,271 Overpriced Housing Central	You need to identify which mopar distributor you have. Some have the mallory advance mechanism, easy to adjust, doesn't require disassmbly. The old style mopar ones require the distributor to be torn down. Look below the top plate and turn distributor shaft looking for a pair of T-15 torks head screws and a pair of small windows with a tab sticking up through it. If it has that style, it's a mallory set up. Loosen the torks heads and close the window up. You can easily whip up some keys for desired advance. There is some info here https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/show...amp;Search=true Old style, weld the plates. http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/techa...em/viewall.html I tend to weld the slot area closest to the shaft center. Mr gasket makes a light spring kit #927 IIRC if you want to change the curve.

Re: quick question on timing [Re: RobX4406] #1197097 03/16/12 11:14 PM 03/16/12 11:14 PM
Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana P pjc360 OP mopar
pjc360 OP mopar P Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana	be more specific with the mopar distributers? as in what year did they start using the mallorys? this distributer came with the engine and the engine was purchased in 2002 so i dont know if that is considered an old mopar distributer or a nerw one? And if i bought a brand new mopar electronic distributer today it would come with the mallory set up adjustable mechanical advance built into it?

Re: quick question on timing [Re: pjc360] #1197098 03/16/12 11:39 PM 03/16/12 11:39 PM
Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 2,154 Its a TRAP! DARTH V8Я Oh No!! I just had a moron attack!
DARTH V8Я Oh No!! I just had a moron attack! Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 2,154 Its a TRAP!	the Mallory dizzys are aftermarkets from MoPar. Looks stock, but has Mallory guts. Easy to spot as Rob pointed out.

Re: quick question on timing [Re: pjc360] #1197099 03/17/12 04:17 AM 03/17/12 04:17 AM
Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada DaytonaTurbo Too Many Posts
DaytonaTurbo Too Many Posts Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada	Check out the links rob posted, and the description he gave, they will show you how to figure out which distributor you have. Quote: so with a higher compression engine you want the mechanical advance to come in sooner or later? Depends on a combination of cam and compression. If you have low compression ratio, you generally want the timing in earlier. If you have a higher compression engine with a big cam, you generally want the timing in earlier. If you have decent compression and a stock or mild cam, you may want it in a bit later if you're having detonation problems. If you're running crappy gas, you may want the timing in a little later.

Re: quick question on timing [Re: DaytonaTurbo] #1197100 03/18/12 08:29 PM 03/18/12 08:29 PM
Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana P pjc360 OP mopar
pjc360 OP mopar P Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana	Daytona i figued out the distributer i have does not have the mallory guts iniside it so its gotta e the older style of mopar distributer. I found another mopar electronic vaccume advance distribbuter in my old mans garage and i tore it down just to see what i gotta do and it got me thinking. I should be able to pull the shaft off this spare distributer and get the slots shorter then pull the distributer out of my truck and trade shafts correct? that way i dont have to be without my truck forr very long i can get the slots shortend on his spare then whenever i have the free time pull the distributer out of my truck and tear it down take out the shaft and put the shaft that had the slots shortend onto my distributer. I dont see why i wouldnt be able to do that do you?

Re: quick question on timing [Re: pjc360] #1197101 03/19/12 01:10 AM 03/19/12 01:10 AM
Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada DaytonaTurbo Too Many Posts
DaytonaTurbo Too Many Posts Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada	Shorten the slots in your spare distributor then swap it in. Don't bother mixing and matching parts between both.

Re: quick question on timing [Re: pjc360] #1197102 03/19/12 02:30 AM 03/19/12 02:30 AM
Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 685 Bismarck, ND USA C cageman mopar
cageman mopar C Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 685 Bismarck, ND USA	I set all my distributors up around 20- 25 degrees initial, any more and they start hard when warm. My old power wagon has 25 degrees intial, and 36 total. Thats 11 degrees of mechanical advance. Runs good, idles great. Plugs look great. I also dont use vacuum advance on any of my trucks, just my valiant. Make sure you mark where the rotor is facing when you take out the dist, that way you can line her up. I have a center punch mark on the block and the dist base that is where 36 is total is about, makes it easier to get it timed right, as I have had to put the dist in and out a few times till I got the slots welded right. If you really want bang for your buck, advance the cam 3 or 4 degrees on the timing chain, will lower the torque curve to a more useable rpm. If you have a timing chain with more than one key way slot it is easy, otherwise you will need the offset key ways.

Re: quick question on timing [Re: cageman] #1197103 03/19/12 08:05 PM 03/19/12 08:05 PM
Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana P pjc360 OP mopar
pjc360 OP mopar P Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana	This may sund stupid but i have been really thinking about just buying a brand new mopar distributer, reason being the new mopar electronic distributers have the adjustable mechanical advance so i could buy the new distributer and shorten the mechanical advance before i dro it in and if it needs any further adjustments i can do it with the distributer still in the engine. Another reason my current distributer is about 10 years old so i'm sure it wouldnt hurt to throw a new distributer in it and i can get a brand new mopar electronic vaccume advance distributer with the adjustable mechanical advance for 175 bucks. That doesnt seem like to high of a price specially for a distributer that has the adjustable mechanical advance. I dont know for sure tho... it just seems like a better idea ultimatly to get the new mopar distributer that has the adjustable mechanical for reasons stated above its not that expensive, its adjustable so i wouldnt have to pull it out alot like i would have to with the older mopar distributer, plus my current distributer is 10 yers old. what do you guys think on getting the new mopar distributer that has the adjustable mechanical advance?

Re: quick question on timing [Re: pjc360] #1197104 03/19/12 09:11 PM 03/19/12 09:11 PM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska R RapidRobert Circle Track
RapidRobert Circle Track R Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska	it would simplify things for you. get your initial amt finalized then adj the torx screws to set the total then play with springs to adj how fast the curve comes in then hookup vac adv (if you are using it) & adj (A) when it's curve starts w a 3/32" allen wrench & more advanced can (B) alter how much advance is in it by (re)working the arms' travel live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth

Re: quick question on timing [Re: RapidRobert] #1197105 03/20/12 03:24 AM 03/20/12 03:24 AM
Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana P pjc360 OP mopar
pjc360 OP mopar P Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 653 montana	I found out that fabo sells a kit that i can install too change the initial timing on my current distributer and it is only 40 bucks. Somone mentioned doing that vrs buying a brand new distributer for 175 bucks. I guess it comes with instructions on how to install and i can change the mechanical advance and get it to where i cn run a higher initial. Any of you guys heard of this kit? is it worth buying or should i just buy a new distributer?

Re: quick question on timing [Re: pjc360] #1197106 03/20/12 04:29 AM 03/20/12 04:29 AM
Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada DaytonaTurbo Too Many Posts
DaytonaTurbo Too Many Posts Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada	FBO(not fabo) does sell some good stuff. However most of us just mention to shorten the slots in your stock distributor because once you have the mechanical advance slots shortened you basically leave it and never play with it after that. For this reason investing in an adjustable one is overkill. I would just take your spare distributor, take it apart and have someone spend literally 2 seconds with the mig welder and shorten weld the slots up a bit. Then you can open them back up with a file, dremel, die grinder, etc.

Re: quick question on timing [Re: DaytonaTurbo] #1197107 03/20/12 12:28 PM 03/20/12 12:28 PM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska R RapidRobert Circle Track
RapidRobert Circle Track R Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska	I agree w what DaytonaTurbo said but if you're not comfortable undoing the clip & going inside the dist several times to get the slots/springs right then the newer Mallory built one may be the way to go but that is alot of $$$. anybody local that can help you w this? live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth

Re: quick question on timing [Re: RapidRobert] #1197108 03/20/12 12:33 PM 03/20/12 12:33 PM
Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 2,154 Its a TRAP! DARTH V8Я Oh No!! I just had a moron attack!
DARTH V8Я Oh No!! I just had a moron attack! Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 2,154 Its a TRAP!	Another possibility, you can always purchase one of the many digital ignition units out there. You can set curves, start/end points, initial, doglegs, even timing for individual cylinders, all from your laptop, ipod/ipad/Iphone or adjustments on the unit itself. Just tossin it out there. When it takes more than a sweet mullet to prove you rule at the trailer park..

Page 1 of 3

1

2

3

Moderated by Al_Alguire, Hotwheelsjr, moparts, not_a_charger, RangerDan440, tboomer

Hop To

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.1