Timing on 427 SO advance question

[priobe]

Hello,

I would like to know if this is normal. I am running a MSD dist. with coil. I went to shoot time and noticed that my timing was set at 12 degree. I went and verified the bushing and springs which are silver. This should put my timing around 37 degrees. As I rev the motor I noticed that my timing only moves 2 degrees from 12. I also noticed that the timing is moving backward from 12 to 10 ( also toward TDC) on my ATI balancer.

Is this normal?

Also, what could cause the dist not to advance?

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by priobe

Is this normal?
Also, what could cause the dist not to advance?

Forget about your timing at idle. Take a look at my timing mark below, which is the big orange line that is at 35 degrees BTDC. I set my timing to that mark at 3500RPM. Yours should be around that amount. Take some chalk and draw a line like you see in the picture at 35 degrees and then point your timing gun at it when you're revving at 3500 rpm and tell us if you are anywhere close to the line. If you're not, there's a possibility that your timing light is not compatible with the MSD box (I think that's more likely than the distributor being way, way off).

[FFR428]

How did you ever make out on your oil pressure problem?

[Eljaro]

Priobe,

1. your distributor is wrong and for a CCW turning engine
or
2. the springs are getting stuck and prevent the advance mechanism from moving
or
3. you are using one of those electronic strobelights with advance settings, which are mislead by the MSD multispark and indicate wrong advances.
or
4.You have a vacuum advance mechanism hooked up to the distributor.

[priobe]

FFR428,

The oil pressure is back to normal. The pressure relief valve in the back of the motor was in backwards.


PatrickT,

I will test with another timing light. Do you have one that you could recommend?

Originally Posted by Eljaro

Priobe,

1. your distributor is wrong and for a CCW turning engine
or
2. the springs are getting stuck and prevent the advance mechanism from moving
or
3. you are using one of those electronic strobelights with advance settings, which are mislead by the MSD multispark and indicate wrong advances.
or
4.You have a vacuum advance mechanism hooked up to the distributor.

1. I dont understand what a CCW is ?
2. I check springs and all looks good - moves freely
3. Yes I am will change for regular timing
4. No vacuum advance only MSD electronic unit.

Also, Eljaro,

When I rev the motor I get a backfire from the last (#4)passenger intake carb. Looks pretty cool yellow and blue explosion . Any idea what that could be?


Thanks for the reply guys

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by priobe

PatrickT,

I will test with another timing light. Do you have one that you could recommend?

I use MSD Part #8990 http://www.msdignition.com/tool_2.htm

[Excaliber]

I gave up on those 'fancy' lights, a plain old simple inductive type light with NO knobs or dials is the way to go.

[Eljaro]

Priobe,
some engines turn ClockWise and some others CounterClockWise.
If you have the wrong distributor for your engine it will turn in the wrong direction and the counterweigts will never take off.
Maybe I am saying something stupid because I do not know if you can stick a wrong distributor into the engine, but if everything else is ok and the advance does not take off I would check this out.

[Eljaro]

the backfire through the carbs can be an air leak through the intake gaskets, dirts in some of the jets in the carb or a dirty valve seat(check the compression on #4). Also check the accel pump squirter. It has a small ballvalve inside. If it sticks it will be pulling gasoline out of it all the time.

[priobe]

Thanks for the feedback. I have heard of people drilling out the check ball. Is this recommended ?

[Eljaro]

I would leave the check valve alone. Just clean it!