1970 440 timing?

Ok so I’m helping my dad get the timing right. The engine is a 1970 440 with the six pack set up on it. Engine seems all factory. What should the balancer be set at? Then what should the timing gun be set at? I need like any info I can get to get this set right. There pop noises coming out of the exhaust and seems like it’s due to timing issues because we changed the center carb with a rebuilt one and popping for worse

I would (1) set the initial at 15 with the vac line plugged & (2) set the total (initial+springs with can capped) at 36 to 38 with the FBO $25 plate (by far the best bang for the buck to do this) then replug in the can. this will get you moderately close to ideal then you can continue searching for the problem (& fine tune the timing totally dead on later). Sounds like you have a dialback, if so, if you turn the knob till the timing mark (slit on the dampener) is back on zero at the tab then where the dial is at is what the timing is (turn dist/repeat till the knob is at 15 with the mark "showing" at TDC zero). You may wanna play with the springs.

The total timing should be between 33 and 36 degrees before top dead center revved up above 5000 RPM with a stock distributor so you get all the mechanical advance in at full advance. Set the timing at 33 before top dead center revved up at sea level and around 36 degrees above 3000 Ft above sea level Once you set the total timing check it at idle to see how much idle timing that motor has with that distributor
On the popping is it doing all the time or only under acceleration?
I love six packs

^^^ as said, see what the timing (initial & total) are at now (& the RPM for each). ALWAYS a good idea to get a starting baseline (keep records).

Popping was only when I would accelerate the car. After I switched center Carb it was doing it all the time while set in park. I’m going back to the carburetor I started with tomorrow and going to try the advice I got here so far. Hopefully timing fixes the pop issue

That's a cylinder charging issue.....carburetor or camshaft/valve train. A compression test to prove valve sealing would be helpful.

Popping out the exhaust could also be fouled spark plugs or plug wires on wrong

They were changed and spark plugs also. Spark plugs were checked 5 times. Correct order

I’ll have to check this tomorrow

you can't just jack up the initial timing without knowing how many degrees are in the distributor. you need to know what you have before you start making changes.

If it’s the original 1970 damper, the first thing you should do is check the TDC mark on it against true TDC. You have no way of knowing if the outer damper ring is in the correct location.

Like Clint Eastwood said - “ you feeling lucky “?

You changed the carb & that (significantly) changed the symptom in question. acts up on part or WOT? (or both). I would go back into that carb & also check for vac leak (carb & elsewhere). I ain't up on 6 paks but I think you can unhook the end carbs & run on the center carb & get it sorted out (esp cuz your changing it out drastically changed how it ran). Might be a vac leak inside/or connected to the outer carbs

So I went back to the center carb I started with. My dad changed the level the floats were at. And no more pop sounds. Now it’s just a little shaky while in park. Could this be because the floats weren’t adjusted right? Or just the timing issue now? Seems to be good when driving but in park is where the shakyness happens.

Sorry, I’m not an expert but I appreciate everyone’s input.

Please go here and read this and use it.


It works. There is a better one on the way but it going to be in your favorite magazine instead

six pak tuning guide old edition

Baseline your set up - just like a building needs a solid foundation. Until you do that all the advice given here is pointless. I guarantee that your set up is not baselined properly. Please read the guide.


I realize the folks helping are doing just that trying to help but they have you in a spiral.

Helpful folks need to understand that unless EVERY six pak is baselined/set up properly any advice is pointless

You can pm me with questions after you read the guide and work on your baseline set up