OK so after farting around all summer I finally got the motor back into the Barracuda.
Here is the deal
1965 Barracuda Formula S Commando 273
stock 4bbl intake, stock exhaust manifolds, stock dual point dist Edelbrock 600 cfm 4bl carb.

I completely went thru the motor this summer, bored .005 over new pistons (9:1) new rings bearing new cam (Crane 272 duration with hyd lifters). (just a bit smaller than my previous cam)
here is my issue:
starts and idles good, but stubmles on acceleration, with not much punch at all.
She was running great before the teardown with the same tune up specs.
timing set to 15 BTC at 700rpm (no vaccuum on)
all timing is in before 2200 rpm
*********how much total advance should I be seeing? I have assumed 15 initial 13 in the dist and 10 from vaccuum for a total of 38.

I also assumed I would not have to retune the carb after all this..****am I wrong? ******
In my original setup I had to use the lightest step-up springs for a decent idle with my old cam (288 duration)

help me save some time here, are my issues all related to timing?

Disregard vacuum advance, it doesn't come into play under WOT conditions, only under cruising conditions. I'd plug it for now add it later once you get the power aspect dialed in.

Find out what RPM your distributor stops advancing and set it so you get 32 degrees at full mechanical advance. Then see what your advance is at idle.

You can Adjust your timing up till it pings or kicks back against the starter when starting the engine without hurting a thing. Try set the intial up till it performs well and see what happens. If it pings or kicks the starter back it off a couple of degrees.

plug the vacuum advance..better yet drop the points in the trash and get a electronic ing set-up

I'm confused by your post. Do you have a way of measuring total timing? That is, do you have the wheel degree'd or have a delay timing light?

You may be confusing 13 degrees in the distributor as 28 AT THE CRANK

I'd just disconnect the vacuum, wind 'er up and set total to about 35-38 to start with, and not worry about where initial falls.

Make sure the distributor is really advancing.

Also do you know how to check that the marks are accurate, I.E. positive stop or other method?

I did mark the damper with degree marks just to get an idea on where I was at.

I did check the 0 mark at top dead center so I know it is fairly close.

the 13 degrees in the distributor is what the manual specs for the mech advance, same with 10 degrees vaccuum. Maybe that where I am getting screwed up.
Is 13 equal to 26 on the crank damper?

I was over thinking the total timing because I was afraid to dial in too much timimg. What is too much anyway?

Quote:

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I also assumed I would not have to retune the carb after all this..****am I wrong? ******

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Yes, you are wrong. Seems like everyone else has jumped all over your timing issue, but I'd also be looking at your carb. Based on your post, I'm assuming you have not touched it?

I would set your total at 35 w vac adv disconnected & then idle it & see where your timing falls at with vac adv still disconnected. You would want ~10 btdc or so & if too far off from that then the slot length needs to be changed.With that right then plug in vac adv & attack the carb if need be.

You need to get a handle on the timing but the carb would appear to be your real problem. 15 inital should be in the ballpark enough for it to run good.

A stumble would seem to be a carb issue. Look for vac leaks and then check the plugs, play with the pump shot, shooters, springs, etc.

I have a 340 cam in my 273 and I run 15 degrees of advance. It loves i there, I swear if its set off 1 degree you can feel a huge difference. I dont know how much advance I have total as my light isnt adjustable and the tab isnt big enough. Its just a stock 273 2 barrel single point dizzy though.

Id think the specs on your crane are probably similar to the 340 cam, maybe a tad bigger. I dont get any bog, definately dial in the carb. Also I know it sounds silly but are the points and condensor fresh, are the points gapped right, and are the plugs clean? My points looked good but they werent and it FOULED the plugs beyond beleif, bogged like crazy.

It needs a little more fuel in the off idle circuit. And possibly the main circuit.
The last cam you ran may have dropped the vacuum enough to give it fuel. This cam may have enough vacuum at idle to keep it lean.
Set the timing where it was on the last motor and leave it alone.
you need to work on the carb to get it to tip in
to the off idle circuit cleanly.
WArm the engine up.
Disconnect the accelerator pump.
Slowly open the throttle and bring the RPM up to 3500-4000. Will it run up there smoothly? If not, add some fuel to the off idle circuit until it will. Hook up the pump and go for a drive. I bet it drives sweet.

Thanks Guys for the help. If it stops raining I can get back to dialing it in.

One more issue... I must have the distributor drive one tooth off because the vaccuum canister hits the coil when I try to advance it any more.

Can I just move the plug wires in the dist cap and reset the advance from the beginning?
I hate to try to fish the drive out with the intake in place.

Its been done before