Initial Timing Issue (a quest for better fuel mileage)

[Fairlane514]

Actually you turn the distributor counterclockwise to advance it.

[81_Chevy]

so (since my timing tab is the wrong one) i would turn the distributor counterclockwise until i head pinging, and then turn it clockwise until i get the highest vaccum reading? something like that?

[79gmc15]

Actually you turn the distributor counterclockwise to advance it.

Riiigghhhtt... haha thank you!

[79gmc15]

so (since my timing tab is the wrong one) i would turn the distributor counterclockwise until i head pinging, and then turn it clockwise until i get the highest vaccum reading? something like that?

What I did was adjust to highest vacuum, go for a drive (up hills, full throttle starts, etcetera)  and listened for pinging and back it off accordingly. I found that my truck ran really great advanced(lots more power and response) but pinged under load. So maybe when I am rich I'll run mid or premium gas to rid of the ping. Lol make sure you use your normal gas too. Different qualities of gas can effect results. 

[81_Chevy]

thanks 79!

one more question, if i were looking at the front of the engine, about where would the plugs(where the wires plug into the coil on the cap) on the dist be at if i were in the ball park of the right timing? mine right now is about 3oclock ish

[VileZambonie]

The old school dial in works something like this. You would incrementally advance the timing and go for a ride. If at any time under load it starts to ping you've gone too far. Conversely it should start easily without straining the starter. Once you find where you have the best performance record your readings and fine tune, adjust idle speed etc. It's OK to play around with it.

[Fairlane514]

Whats wrong with your timing pointer?   

[bd]

Whats wrong with your timing pointer?   

OJT !   

[Fairlane514]

Maybe I missed something in the posts, but why don't you get the correct timing pointer and set the timing properly?

[81_Chevy]

it turned out that i was putting the timing light plug on the #2 cylinder and not the #1 lol   

[Fairlane514]

Ok, so now that you know which is the number one cylinder, hook up your timing light and see where you are. Try 10-12 degrees advanced (vacuum disconnected and plugged) that should be safe. 

[81_Chevy]

i set it at 8* for now, thats what my Chilton's manual said lol. in a couple weeks ill set it to 6* and see where it goes and then ill start going back the other way up to 10* and 12* and see where the best performance is! (gas mileage lol)

-Nic

[79gmc15]

i set it at 8* for now, thats what my Chilton's manual said lol. in a couple weeks ill set it to 6* and see where it goes and then ill start going back the other way up to 10* and 12* and see where the best performance is! (gas mileage lol)

-Nic

I wouldn't bother with 6*. The more retarded the number the likelihood that you'll get worse gas mileage, the whole reason for the 10* is emissions not MPG.  Your motor will be more efficient more advance and therefore better MPG.

[81_Chevy]

hmm alright thanks 79! i will have to change my timing up to 10* then when i get back this weekend! thanks for the advice! 

[79gmc15]

hmm alright thanks 79! i will have to change my timing up to 10* then when i get back this weekend! thanks for the advice! 

I've read that what you want is be fully advanced @32* by x rpms. I've seen people saying it's best to be "all in" by 3000 rpm. That includes your initial plus vacuum. I am sure ill be corrected if I am wrong.