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Initial and Total Timing '69 Road Runner 383 #3095388
11/18/22 11:29 PM
11/18/22 11:29 PM
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VITC_GTX Offline OP
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Just rebuilt the original 383 in the road runner. Measured 9.0-1 compression, iron heads with Summit small cam (214/224 @ .050" = .444/.466), stock exhaust manifolds and stock intake with Edelbrock 650. I used the Summit electronic dizzy and ECU with vacuum advance.

Suggestions for initial and total timing for street driving??

Re: Initial and Total Timing '69 Road Runner 383 [Re: VITC_GTX] #3095394
11/19/22 12:23 AM
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You have a dial back timing light?


“So if it’s on the internet it must be true”

Abe Lincoln
Re: Initial and Total Timing '69 Road Runner 383 [Re: VITC_GTX] #3095395
11/19/22 12:23 AM
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18 initial and 34 total. Adjust as needed. twocents

Re: Initial and Total Timing '69 Road Runner 383 [Re: bobby66] #3095403
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34 total. Initial and springs wherever you like it.


I want my fair share
Re: Initial and Total Timing '69 Road Runner 383 [Re: bobby66] #3095405
11/19/22 01:57 AM
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Originally Posted by bobby66


18 initial and 34 total. Adjust as needed. twocents


These sound #'s good!

Sort out initial first. probably land in the 14-18 range, then total wherever it doesn't detonate. 34 is a good start.

Re: Initial and Total Timing '69 Road Runner 383 [Re: dart4forte] #3095412
11/19/22 02:27 AM
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Originally Posted by dart4forte
You have a dial back timing light?


Good question. I do have one of these.

Looks like I should start in the 14-18 range and then I'll have to fill in my slots in the plate of the distributor to limit the mechanical advance.

Thanks.

Last edited by VITC_GTX; 11/19/22 02:28 AM.
Re: Initial and Total Timing '69 Road Runner 383 [Re: VITC_GTX] #3095421
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get into the distributor and see if the centrifugal advance plate has a number on it. the number will tell how many centrifugal degrees are in the distributor. the mopar electronic distributors had 13 degree plates for 26 degrees total at the crank. i've found that a lot of initial timing in these stock or near stock builds burn crummy. i wouldn't do more than 10 degrees initial with a 13 degree plate. this is what i do and have noticed a cleaner burn and the engine drives good. i've done all kinds of curves from aggressive 9 degree plates to 15 degree plates with varying springs. smaller cams are more efficent in the lower and mid rpm range and don't need aggressive timing. aggressive timing is just a crutch for inefficient cams or poor tune-ups.

Re: Initial and Total Timing '69 Road Runner 383 [Re: lewtot184] #3095470
11/19/22 12:12 PM
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Smallish cam & iron heads & pump gas @ 9.0:1, I'm thinking 10-12 initial, 36 max mechanical, and run vac advance.
Used to routinely run that on stock 383s, woke them up from the factory setting. That was at sea level & in a warm (Calif) environment, pump premium.
You might find yours wants the total limited as already mentioned, as I'm not sure every aftermarket distributor has the same curve.
Gear ratio & cruise RPM can be factors as well.

Re: Initial and Total Timing '69 Road Runner 383 [Re: topside] #3095516
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something that can be done if you don't want to take the distributor apart to find out what it is is to put a 35-36 degree mark on the dampener and power time the engine. basically you can measure 2.25" from the TDC mark in the clockwise direction and place a mark on the dampener. this should get you close to 36 degrees. disconnect the vacuum advance and rev the engine until maximum centrifugal advance is acheived while aligning the 36 degree mark at the zero on the timing tab. then just let the initial be what at is and don't worry about it. hopefully your vacuum advance is adjustable, and you can play with that .

Re: Initial and Total Timing '69 Road Runner 383 [Re: lewtot184] #3095521
11/19/22 02:23 PM
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Stock 318's like 10-12 initial timing

initial is the foundation for all other timing events. My suggestion is give the engine what it wants at idle, then build from there.

The old school wherever it lands is a poor approach. JMO.

Last edited by crackedback; 11/19/22 02:24 PM.
Re: Initial and Total Timing '69 Road Runner 383 [Re: crackedback] #3095553
11/19/22 03:36 PM
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Originally Posted by crackedback
Originally Posted by bobby66


18 initial and 34 total. Adjust as needed. twocents


These sound #'s good!

Sort out initial first. probably land in the 14-18 range, then total wherever it doesn't detonate. 34 is a good start.
iagree That is what I use on my street and strip BB motors on pump gas up wrench
Idling from 12 to 18 BTDC and all in (34 to 36 BTDC depending on the altitude by 2400 RPM up scope up

Last edited by Cab_Burge; 11/21/22 01:47 PM.

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Re: Initial and Total Timing '69 Road Runner 383 [Re: VITC_GTX] #3095605
11/19/22 07:49 PM
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If you are interested in performance, I suggest you ask a bunch of mopar drag racers at the track what they do. Their answers are probably different from that of which you hear here. Best of luck.

Re: Initial and Total Timing '69 Road Runner 383 [Re: SportF] #3095635
11/19/22 10:37 PM
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On A fresh motor, I'd suggest 10-12 initial, 36 total with or without VA. Once broke in then start playing with it to see what it likes. The msot important part is Break the motor in and give the rings time to seat. twocents beer

Re: Initial and Total Timing '69 Road Runner 383 [Re: SportF] #3096007
11/21/22 12:29 PM
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Originally Posted by SportF
If you are interested in performance, I suggest you ask a bunch of mopar drag racers at the track what they do. Their answers are probably different from that of which you hear here. Best of luck.


This worked for me in 06 at the Pure stock drags, it was suggested that I run 42 total by a veteran PS racer from Detroit , I went as high as 39 and dumped a couple gallons of 110oct on top of the1/4 tank 93oct for piece of mind, the car picked up a couple tenths ...


running up my post count some more .
Re: Initial and Total Timing '69 Road Runner 383 [Re: JohnRR] #3096123
11/21/22 06:27 PM
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Originally Posted by JohnRR
Originally Posted by SportF
If you are interested in performance, I suggest you ask a bunch of mopar drag racers at the track what they do. Their answers are probably different from that of which you hear here. Best of luck.


This worked for me in 06 at the Pure stock drags, it was suggested that I run 42 total by a veteran PS racer from Detroit , I went as high as 39 and dumped a couple gallons of 110oct on top of the1/4 tank 93oct for piece of mind, the car picked up a couple tenths ...


This. 42 degrees was pretty common. I ran 39-40.

Re: Initial and Total Timing '69 Road Runner 383 [Re: BSB67] #3096124
11/21/22 06:39 PM
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Originally Posted by BSB67
Originally Posted by JohnRR
[quote=SportF]If you are interested in performance, I suggest you ask a bunch of mopar drag racers at the track what they do. Their answers are probably different from that of which you hear here. Best of luck.


This worked for me in 06 at the Pure stock drags, it was suggested that I run 42 total by a veteran PS racer from Detroit , I went as high as 39 and dumped a couple gallons of 110oct on top of the1/4 tank 93oct for piece of mind, the car picked up a couple tenths ...


This. 42 degrees was pretty common. I ran 39-40.

[/quote ] Every time I have tried setting the verified total timing above 36 BTDC at any 1/4 mile track doing testing on every BB Mopar I've tuned slowed the car down in the ET and MPH shruggy
Don Wann, NHRA division 7 long time Mopar drag racer, had told me years ago that the 1963 Plymouth M.W. Savoy he owned and raced like 42 BTDC total timing, so I tried that on my legal 1963 415 HP Max Wedge NHRA stocker and it slowed down confused
I learn later that he didn't build the motors for his cars, a machine shop did them for his sponsor and it ended up that they had put a later year (1967 and later) timing cover on his M.W. motor with the original dampener making it read falsely tsk
My message is trust and VERIFY scope up twocents

Last edited by Cab_Burge; 11/21/22 06:41 PM.

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Re: Initial and Total Timing '69 Road Runner 383 [Re: Cab_Burge] #3096211
11/21/22 11:58 PM
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Mopar action this summer mentioned 33-35 is sweet spot for power on a big block. I had found 34 worked best years ago. One time I had the distributor out, it bumped to 33 when I locked it down. I left it there and noticed no difference really so I’d vouch for their numbers.

Mopar used to say in the speed books that you should run 38. Back in the 70s you probably didn’t have a problem finding better fuels. I tried 38 and I got .5 mpg better, but it ran rough. I think it was signs of pre-ignition. Backing it down, that stock 383 hp smoothed out at 34 and was the smoothest engine I’ve ever had. That one was all factory built when I tore it down for a new chain and seals.


I want my fair share
Re: Initial and Total Timing '69 Road Runner 383 [Re: SomeCarGuy] #3096261
11/22/22 10:35 AM
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38 is from Basic Startup and Adjustment and Ignition Tuning for Maximum Performance taken directly from the Mopar Performance Small Block V-8 Electronic Ignition Kit instruction sheet
56 BTDC all in.
http://www.mopar1.us/engine2.html

Engine Heads Timing Specification
A Production - Pre '89 (Iron) 35 BTDC
A Production - '89 & Newer (Iron) 32 BTDC
A W2 (Iron) 35 BTDC
A W5 (Alum.) 35 BTDC
B/RB Production (Iron) 38 BTDC
B/RB Stage I, II, III, IV, V (Iron or Alum) 38 BTDC
B/RB Indy (Alum) 35 BTDC
B/RB B1 (Alum) Under 475 cu. in. 37-39 BTDC
B/RB B1 (Alum) Over 475 cu. in., Under 15.0:1 Ratio 36-38 BTDC
B/RB B1 (Alum) Over 475 cu. in., Over 15.0:1 Ratio 34-36 BTDC
B/RB B1 TS 34 BTDC
Hemi All (Iron or Alum) 35 BTDC

Re: Initial and Total Timing '69 Road Runner 383 [Re: Ray S] #3096423
11/22/22 10:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Ray S
38 is from Basic Startup and Adjustment and Ignition Tuning for Maximum Performance taken directly from the Mopar Performance Small Block V-8 Electronic Ignition Kit instruction sheet
56 BTDC all in.
http://www.mopar1.us/engine2.html

Engine Heads Timing Specification
A Production - Pre '89 (Iron) 35 BTDC
A Production - '89 & Newer (Iron) 32 BTDC
A W2 (Iron) 35 BTDC
A W5 (Alum.) 35 BTDC
B/RB Production (Iron) 38 BTDC
B/RB Stage I, II, III, IV, V (Iron or Alum) 38 BTDC
B/RB Indy (Alum) 35 BTDC
B/RB B1 (Alum) Under 475 cu. in. 37-39 BTDC
B/RB B1 (Alum) Over 475 cu. in., Under 15.0:1 Ratio 36-38 BTDC
B/RB B1 (Alum) Over 475 cu. in., Over 15.0:1 Ratio 34-36 BTDC
B/RB B1 TS 34 BTDC
Hemi All (Iron or Alum) 35 BTDC


In my experience some motors will tolerate that Much vacuum advance and others will not. IMO it is best to break the motor in on the conservatives side and then start experimenting twocents

Re: Initial and Total Timing '69 Road Runner 383 [Re: SomeCarGuy] #3096468
11/23/22 08:14 AM
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[. Everybody at the track is running 38, with a few at 36. The only guys running 34 degrees is when they are trying to slow the car down to meet an index. Now maybe when you are at sea level it makes a difference, that I don't know.

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