Timing my 383

Timing my 383 - 07/25/11 04:37 PM

I have a Pertronix Flamethrower distributor in my 383. Stealth heads with domed KB pistons (KB400). Holley 830 and Torker intake. Voodoo Cam. I finally got my timing tape on it yesterday and got to look at it quickly before it flew off! The problem I am having is that the car runs perfect set at 20 initial and about high 40's full. Everything I am reading says this is too much but if I back it down to 12-14 and about high 30's it doesn't run as good. Any ideas???

Posted By: GomangoCuda

Re: Timing my 383 - 07/25/11 04:54 PM

You need to recurve the distributor so that you can have 16-20 initial and 36-38 total.

Posted By: 68 Roadrunner

Re: Timing my 383 - 07/25/11 05:01 PM

That's what I was thinking. I have to get my info out from the distributor and figure out how to change it.

Posted By: JohnRR

Re: Timing my 383 - 07/25/11 05:10 PM

Quote:

I have a Pertronix Flamethrower distributor in my 383. Stealth heads with domed KB pistons (KB400). Holley 830 and Torker intake. Voodoo Cam. I finally got my timing tape on it yesterday and got to look at it quickly before it flew off! The problem I am having is that the car runs perfect set at 20 initial and about high 40's full. Everything I am reading says this is too much but if I back it down to 12-14 and about high 30's it doesn't run as good. Any ideas???

if it's not pinging I don't see a problem , though hi 40's ??? When I went to the pure stock drags in 06 some very well versed guys from the detroit area told me to bump the full advance timing on my 69 383 to 42 degrees , I bumped it to 40 , car did pick up ...

Posted By: Mr.Yuck

Re: Timing my 383 - 07/25/11 05:16 PM

Quote:

Quote:

I have a Pertronix Flamethrower distributor in my 383. Stealth heads with domed KB pistons (KB400). Holley 830 and Torker intake. Voodoo Cam. I finally got my timing tape on it yesterday and got to look at it quickly before it flew off! The problem I am having is that the car runs perfect set at 20 initial and about high 40's full. Everything I am reading says this is too much but if I back it down to 12-14 and about high 30's it doesn't run as good. Any ideas???

if it's not pinging I don't see a problem , though hi 40's ??? When I went to the pure stock drags in 06 some very well versed guys from the detroit area told me to bump the full advance timing on my 69 383 to 42 degrees , I bumped it to 40 , car did pick up ...

what he said. FWIW timing tape is a joke. Get a good timing light w/ an advance.

Posted By: GomangoCuda

Re: Timing my 383 - 07/25/11 05:25 PM

Quote:

Quote:

I have a Pertronix Flamethrower distributor in my 383. Stealth heads with domed KB pistons (KB400). Holley 830 and Torker intake. Voodoo Cam. I finally got my timing tape on it yesterday and got to look at it quickly before it flew off! The problem I am having is that the car runs perfect set at 20 initial and about high 40's full. Everything I am reading says this is too much but if I back it down to 12-14 and about high 30's it doesn't run as good. Any ideas???

if it's not pinging I don't see a problem , though hi 40's ??? When I went to the pure stock drags in 06 some very well versed guys from the detroit area told me to bump the full advance timing on my 69 383 to 42 degrees , I bumped it to 40 , car did pick up ...

I hesitated to say 40-42 for safety reasons but I have a friends 383 with KB400 pistons, ebrock heads, and Engle Hyd. cam set at 42. It's what it likes.

Posted By: Junky

Re: Timing my 383 - 07/25/11 05:29 PM

I carefully put on a timing tape. It's better than just using the stock timing tab. I set my 383 at 18 initial, 38 total, all in by 2,500 RPM. Runs good.

Posted By: GomangoCuda

Re: Timing my 383 - 07/25/11 05:34 PM

Quote:

FWIW timing tape is a joke. Get a good timing light w/ an advance.

Sand off the paint and super glue the tape on. Pay special attention to the overlap of the tape. It will never come off and you will never wonder if your dial back light is working properly. I have seen so many flakey dialback lights that I only use my old(really old) Sears Penske non dialback light. Besides I don't have enough hands to rev the engine, hold the light and turn the dial all at the same time.

Posted By: Paul_Fancsali

Re: Timing my 383 - 07/25/11 05:38 PM

Try it again at 42-43 if it doesn't ping run it. I have a low comp engine that works at 46-47 total depends on temp. My brothers 383 runs best at 40-42 degree's

Posted By: 68 Roadrunner

Re: Timing my 383 - 07/25/11 05:40 PM

Yeah the timing tape seems like a joke. I know I have read that 383's like the timing.

Posted By: 68 Roadrunner

Re: Timing my 383 - 07/25/11 05:43 PM

I haven't heard any pinging. (but it does have some seriously loud exhaust) Lol

Posted By: superbeedave

Re: Timing my 383 - 07/25/11 07:15 PM

I use a timing tape. I put mine on 2 1/2 years ago and it is still on. What I did was make sure the balancer was clean then I wrapped it around the balancer, now here is what I did that most guys don't think of doing and this is why they fly off. Super glue both ends to the balance or to each end of the tape. And for good measure put the glue on the balancer at different places before wrapping the tape around balancer. After 2 1/2 years it is still on!!

Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: Timing my 383 - 07/26/11 01:31 AM

Quote:

if I back it down to 12-14 and about high 30's it doesn't run as good. Any ideas???

yes 36-38 total (vac unhooked/plugged) is a tried & true BB total but 383's esp low comp 383's are an exception and alot of reports of doing better w it in the 40's & KISS in your case it runs better & if no ping you are fine & no reason to retard to 36-38 but I would go about it in order; initial w vac ga method then slots to let it get in the 40's then springs then (re) hook vac adv & work w it (if using it) and I would check if timing marks are exactly TDC. not likely but cant assume anything

Posted By: willard

Re: Timing my 383 - 07/26/11 07:29 AM

My 10,6:1 383, 75cc stealth heads, KB400 pistons likes 24 initial but it kick backs when fired up. So i put itat 22 initial. For safety reasons (you can have knock but ont hear it) I run at 38 total but when I was at 8,7:1 before rebuild it liked 45 total (no vacuum).