Timing question

[71silvervelle]

I recently purchased a chevelle with a 454 30 over and i think the timing isnt set right could anyone tell me what that it should be.

[FlintTony]

It will depend on the engines configuration to get a perfect tune. If it is relatively stock, a decent initial will be around 14 degrees at idle, with a total of around 34-36. Make sure that vacuum advance is unplugged from the distributor and the line is plugged when using a timing light.

This is a general, ball-park set-up. It should be a good starting point though. Good luck.

[Hank70SS]

Tony's right on. Start with 14 and see how she runs. If the engine compression is not too high you can try adding a few more degrees at a time. Watch for detonation, if you get any you've gone too far and it can destroy an engine, drive easy and take it back down. Chevy big blocks like a lot of advance timing, I'm running close to 18 initial on a lower compression engine. Of course there's always higher octane gas that will let you run a more advance timing.

[carpoor]

If you don't have a timing light, hold it at 3K RPM and rotate the distributor counter clockwise slowly. When it stumbles, back it off a hair and tighten it down. (do this procedure with the vacuum advance hose off and plugged.)

It's kind of a redneck way of doing things, but it will get you close. If the car starts hard after doing this, back it down a hair. I've done this at the track in a pinch with no tools and had good results. Why 3,000 RPM? More than likely that is pretty damn close to where your total advance comes in.

[71silvervelle]

Thanks for answers all, sure will help! IM LOOKING FOR THE BEST SETUP FOR DAILY DRIVING

[Hank70SS]

Best setup is the most advance the engine will take without detonation/pinging. It will improve performance, gas mileage and run cooler. As Tony said 14* is good start. Depending on the engine you may be able to go a few more degrees but for a daily driver start with 14 and see how it runs, I think you'll like it. GM has some crazy low numbers even on their new crate engines, like 4*. Run it like GM says and it will run hot and perform like a 4 cylinder.

That's where my neighbors new ZZ454 was set at by the builder. It ran like a pig and overheated. I set to 14* for him and he said it was like a different engine.