Setting the initial timing on a stroker

COACH MIKE · #1 (**permalink**) 11-27-2003, 10:05 PM

Tomorrow a friend and I will crank my new 408 stroker. Being a novice at this I have a timing question. The engine is a 408 stroker, 750 holley, ford distributor and heavy duty electronic ignition box with an accel super coil. The engine was balanced by Bennett Racing. The cam has been degreed and set at 0 degrees, TDC as I understand it. It is a sportsmans block with a timing marker I took off a late model 351 truck engine. We have an aftermarket 28 ounce balancer with timing marks. My question is; what is the initial timing to be set at and which marks on the balancer (dampner) to we use to determing the degree of advance or retard? I trust I have given sufficient information for someone to answer this question.
Thanks much in advance.

Rick Parker · #2 (**permalink**) 11-28-2003, 02:26 AM

Did Bennett use or recommend your balancer when it was balanced? Is this the correct imbalance (28 oz) for your application? Has engine builder verified this for you? If so set #1 at TDC on compression stroke (both valves closed). Does "0" on the dampner line up with a pointer on the timing cover? Does the timing cover you are using belong with the damper you have. Need a little more information to help. Initial timing of about 10 degrees will put you in the "ballpark" Bennet should instruct you on total ignition advance based on camshaft choice, but it will be somwhere near 34-36 degrees BTDC.

Rick

COACH MIKE · #3 (**permalink**) 11-29-2003, 06:58 PM

Rick:
Bennet recommended the 28 oz balancer. I will have to perform setting the #1 at TDC compression stroke and ck the degree markings on the dampner that line up with the marker. Bennett told me to start the engine (which we have) and retard the timing until the engine began to rough idle then advance just beyond when it smooths out (which we have). Bennett told me this would probably be around 14 degrees advanced. I would like to be able to see this on the dampner with my timing light and know what I am looking at. I will ck the #1 at TDC tomorrow (Sun, 11/30) and get back to you.
Thanks for your help.

Jim Downard · #4 (**permalink**) 11-30-2003, 05:32 AM

When I build my 393 stroker, I was told by most to completely forget about initial timing. I was told the priority was to have my total advance timing between 32-35 degress. Once this was set, then I should ignor initial timing. Well, this is fine and dandy, except my Ford Duraspark distributor was not advancing corectly. SSSOOOOO, I bought an MSD billet distributor, and mechanically set the total advance amount at 25 degrees. Then when total advance was set at 35, my initial was then 10. The car runs nicely with these settings.

Good luck,

Jim Downard

COACH MIKE · #5 (**permalink**) 12-01-2003, 07:23 PM

Rick:
I have a ford distributor and ignition box with an accel super coil. We turned the crank mechanically until both the exhaust and intake valves were closed. I checked the rotor to make sure it was just prior to the number one plug. I then checked the dampner and there was a scale unde the pointer. We marked the pointer at the 10 degree mark. Once the engine was started we ckecked with the timing light and found the idle timing at around 12 degrees advanced (BTDC).
How did you ck the timing advance? What procedure?
Thanks in advance.

jkahl · #6 (**permalink**) 12-16-2003, 12:55 AM

Hey Big Dic. turn the vaccuum advance canaster all the way till it hits the thermostate housing and snug her up! Give me a call when you have completed this. I called the baseball number tonight and got no answer. Guess you were all up in those pipes that are tight. Will we be able to make it down to North Alabama this Thursday night? Later Big Guy. EEEEaaasssyyyyy...