It depends on the specific setup. Stock or hot rodded / racing.
Some stock setups used manifold vacuum to add advance at idle, many others did not, using ported (aka timed) vacuum instead.

Based on your post, I am going to guess that you have a modified engine?

If so, set vacuum advance for on road driving conditions. Try driving with it as is. If the engine makes a 'pinging' sound under part throttle load, then experiment with changing the vacuum advance is added and also limit the maximum amount. The goal is no pinging at any part throttle.

For idle conditions, there are two options (again, assuming non-stock engine):
1. Connect the vacuum advance to ported vacuum source. Set base timing higher than stock, probably between 14-20 degrees BTDC depending on how radical the engine is. Vacuum advance now will only get vacuum when the throttle moves off-idle.

2. Connect the vacuum advance to manifold vacuum source.
a. Setup the vacuum advance move at less than 10 "Hg. Set the base mechanical timing low (like some stock engines). The total of mechanical base plus the vacuum advance will be the normal idle timing.
b. Setup the vacuum advance to move above 11 "Hg. Set the base mechanical timing between 14-20 degrees as described in 1.

Which option is easier will depend on the engine and vehicle.
Option 2a has one advantage IF your vehicle likes the early addition of vacuum advance. It means the total mechanical advance will not need to be altered much, if it all, to be proper for Wide Open Throttle.
Option 1 allows the idle to be set up independent of vacuum advance needs.

It is critical that total mechanical advance (including base timing) is not too high during full throttle, high load. If you hear it ping, it is detonating. Get off throttle and reduce timing.




Last edited by Mattax; 04/15/17 11:04 AM.