How To Set Initial Timing and Total Advance Timing on 350 SB Engine By Corvette Hop

This video shows how to set Initial Timing and Total Advance Timing on 350 Small Block engine.
All, this video was designed to help others. The only reason I made this video was to help others with the full understanding that we are not all professional mechanics. Many people watching this video are beginners trying to save money. No, this video is not perfect and I think that is OK, so please be constructive with your comments. No reason to slam each other with bashing or negative comments. Help each other out with constructive/positive comments...remember the overall goal....HELP EACH OTHER.

[@wilbertbenjamin]

I can truly honestly say that this guy is corvette GOD!!! He's helped me out more then I can say. I'm doing my timing tonight.

[@jamesshort9507]

Sweet, in school, we always did it by ear and feel along with setting the carb. When we did my TA back then we had to use a meter on the distributor to set my dual points. Learn something new everyday

[@tobroke2007]

Just wonna say ty to Corvettehop for taking the time to help me out with a problem I had on crank no start. He gave me a plan A and plan B which B was to adjust the valves cause I had them to tight. And after adjusting motor fired right up. Ty so much sir.

[@giuseppelafronza3833]

fantastic video and a gorgeous car. Only thing I will add for those who are learning (to not get confused) is that adjusting your timing has nothing to do with fuel/air mixture. only adjusts the timing of the spark with the piston movement for optimum performance. Thanks for taking the time to make this video! I wish my engine bay was half as clean as yours! Cheers

[@ebrowntaylor1]

Great video. One really important thing to note is you MUST know the specific curve built into your distributor (which can vary). This will determine what RPM your total timing comes in at, and where your initial should be. Example: Say you want a total of 36 degrees and your dist has 24 degrees of advance "all in" at 3000 RPM. You'd set your initial timing at 12 degrees with a light, rev the motor to 3000 rpm and you should have 36 degrees of total (12+24=36 deg).

[@QdotRich]

Hey, do I need to still have the vacuum advance on the distributor plugged when I set both initial timing and total advance? Also, are you sayingfor total advance timing all I have to do is advance 12 or 14 degrees then when everything is reconnected the vacuum advance will advance 22 or 24 depending on the distributor giving me a total of 36... Would you clear that up? About keeping the vacuum advance on the distributor plugged as well as total advance timing. Thanks!!!

[@dansmith6990]

how do you find out what curve is built into the distributor?

[@ebrowntaylor1]

@@dansmith6990 IF you don't have any specs on the dist, you can set total timing to whatever is best for you (eg. 33-36 deg, etc), then see where your initial falls at idle. Whatever RPM your total timing stops advancing will tell you your full advance. Mechanical advance = initial timing-total advance. I'm not good at explaining these things. I hope that makes sense!

[@dansmith6990]

@@ebrowntaylor1 Thanks for giving me a direction to look into! My 454 is from 1984 and I have no idea what the specs are for the distributor in it lol

[@TheWhatisright]

All, this video was designed to help others. The only reason I made this video was to help others with the full understanding that we are not all professional mechanics. Many people watching this video are beginers trying to save money. No, this video is not perfect and I think that is OK, so please be constructive with your comments. No reason to slam each other with bashing or negative comments. Help each other out with constructive/positive comments…remember the overall goal….HELP EACH OTHER.

[@TheWhatisright]

Dingle, Thank you for the nice comment. Agree, some people are just always negative. Guess we need to take the good with the bad.

[@stvnbryn]

Yeah, tired of sifting through negative comments myself. Thanks for the helpful video

[@TheWhatisright]

Steven Bryan Steve, thanks for taking the time to say a few positive comments.

[@MrBoazhorribilis]

TheWhatisright Every couch potato general is a Napoleon in their own minds.

[@Adam-rp2fi]

TheWhatisright Hopcorvetteman I find your video to be very good. It reaches out to the novice and the more experienced.

[@geoffws6]

Great video. Very detailed. This helps me great to get my Firebirds 305 times right. Thank you!

[@francosaitai]

I drive a '77 corvette. This video helped a lot! Thanks!!!!

[@sondabrown7373]

Best video I've seen on setting the timing! Thanks so much!

[@TheLuckyone760]

Really want to thank you for your video. I just followed your steps to help tune my friends 55 Chevy 2 door post with a 350 Corvette block, performance cam, Holley 4150 carb, Edlebrock RPM Performer manifold with 1 inch Mr. Gasket spacer (to make room for brake booster port behind/under carb on manifold) and with MSD billet dist w/ vacuum advance. I got it to TDC on the compression stroke (took the valve cover off and rotated the crank) and the line on the balancer lined up with the 0 marker on the timing cover. From MSD instruction, the dist puts out about 10 degrees of timing. So at idle we put the timing light at zero and adjusted the dist so that the mark on the balancer lined up with the 0 mark on the timing cover. We then put the timing light to 25 degrees @ 3000 RPM so total timing is at 35 degrees @ 3K RPM. My friend said the car runs better than it ever did before and zero pinging at any RPM. I think you did the same thing here with the initial timing? At idle the timing light was set to zero and you got the marks to line up - after that was set then you did the all in mechanical timing @ 36 degrees. Did you know how much timing your stock HEI puts out? There should be a number stamped on the canister under the dizzy cap. This is the only video on the entire internet that shows the process from start to finish and it's so helpful - however I'm still just a little confused about the initial timing part or did I do it right? Thanks again

[@TheWhatisright]

Jason S , sorry for the late reply. I was out of country for one week. I am happy it all worked out. Thank you for taking the time to make a comment. Keep those cars on the road. "Corvette Hop"

[@TheWhatisright]

Jason S jason, if you got the engine started then you sit it correct on initial timing.

[@Matrix7neo]

That's so clean...... I wouldn't even want to drive it!

[@micksterboone4517]

Your car looks really great. Thanks for the simple explanation,

[@spundyo9]

thanks mate for the info,,,I might add you are the only bloke on the web who seems to knows how to make an imformative vid and how to get the info across with a degree of professionalism,,,a well produced vid ! Congrats

[@TheWhatisright]

Well thank you for taking the time to make a comment. That is very nice to say.

[@mohammedalmohannadi1885]

dude you are great i like your videos and please keep going we are helping each others at the end and we are learning ,, thank you

[@jayram914]

Thanks you for great video. I was working on my 79 Chevy C20 I was wondering how to properly set timing. Your video help's lot, God bless you brother

[@brentadams318]

Hey just wanted to say thank you for this video. I have an 81' Vette with a 383 stroker in it. After some overheating issues, ejected lifters and warped pushrods I just rebuilt the engine pretty much but needed some reminders on timing and using a timing light. (I have an oldschool advanced timing light though so not quite as cool as the craftsman you have). Was very convenient to see your vette with a very similar setup. Much appreciated! Great video!

[@TheWhatisright]

Sounds like you have a very nice car. Thank you for taking the time to make a comment.

[@joecypress11]

Thanks for the video. Just replaced the cam in my 350. This will be a big help.

[@TheWhatisright]

Joe Montgomery Joe, thank you. I am happy the video helped you.

[@jrowen33]

Great video. I need to do this on my '78 Chevy K10 which has a 350 and this video helps a lot.

[@freddysilvajr8308]

Í00 .! Hb

[@reecebrown8695]

Mannn THANX my 71 cutlass 350 rocket was sluggish as hell i took a look at the balancer n it was no where near tdc hints the sluggish throttle response/hard starting my timing was way too advanced. Im gettin the timing light tomorrow n following this step by step thanx again for this tutorial cuz nobody else really went in detail as far as the three stages of timing!!!

[@TinCanSailor]

@CorvetteHop I hope all is well. Thanks for the video tutorial as it has helped me get a grasp on where to start. My son and I re working on a 79 with a 400 sbc and holley double pumper with mechanical secondaries that has been bogging/stumbling a little on a slightly hard tip in. We just borrowed a timing light from someone we befriended at autozone. We checked the timing last night before watching this and had left the vacuum adv connected so suffice it to say this video has helped explain a lot of what we witnessed last night.

[@TheWhatisright]

That is so nice to hear. I hope it all turns out well.

[@talikamcgee2091]

I just became Homer Simpson doohhhh!!! Literally forgot the vacuum advance was still hooked. I have an 89C4 that has been kicking my rear for over a week because of this . Everyone needs to always be reminded .Thanks@CorvetteHop

[@AllAmericanDreamChaser]

Excellent video and excellent car! Thanks for posting this video!👍😀

[@BobJones-pp5ek]

nice video, it really helped me out setting my timing!!

[@donaldwisdom895]

Thank you for your time. I feel confident tackling mine now! Keep the red shining on that beautiful 69 vette! Thanks!

[@TheWhatisright]

Donald Wisdom Donald, thank you. I enjoy helping others so it is nice to hear that the videos help. I will do my best to keep the 1969 vette shining.

[@ManuelCastro-kw9te]

@@TheWhatisright 3. Windshield wipers are you serial number of other countries are also available at

[@kellonpitts2650]

Excellent informative video. Thank you for taking the time to make it.

[@SK-ch8ym]

8:23 idle before adjustment 13:30 idle after adjustment 13:22 3000 RPM - Sounds good as well Good Job!

[@gamingforhumanity6659]

Thank you!!!! Thank you I don't have to hear this blah blah blah 😷

[@ferminfigueroa7483]

Set timing on ford F250 yr 68

[@ehjonesii]

Great video I have an 82 that was changed from CFI to car and I just replied the carb and need to set timing. Thanks for the video. I'm an aircraft mechanic as well!

[@TheWhatisright]

Thank you for taking the time for comments. Nice to hear from other Aircraft Mechanics.

[@firebird70]

thumbs up and good work on your video. Maybe worth mentioning that some timing lights have an arrow that must point at the plug and not the distributor. Aslo, noting that even though it reaches 36deg by 2500rpm, springs and weights will affect on how fast or late it gets there. Different springs and weights are available to change this rate.

[@Travishatz]

Why can't all how to videos be as great as this??? Very comprehensive stuff.

[@TheWhatisright]

Thank you for the nice comment. It is not perfect but hope it helps people.

[@CrazyPetez]

Nice, informative video👍. I’d like to see a companion video on vacuum advance, and how it ties in with mechanical advance.

[@natetanks7891]

great way to put it in an easy way to understand, I'm no dummy with vehicles but I am only 20 and this carb/ distributor is a whole different game to fuel injected. thanks again and BTW nice ride ;)

[@TheWhatisright]

+nate tanks Thank you for the comments.

[@juha79]

Thanks, this video was very helpful!

[@Colton.ontheadventure]

Best one I’ve found by far

[@cwyoming7004]

I just set the timing on my 1971 k10 using this information. Thank you so much for the video.

[@TheWhatisright]

I am happy the video helped. Thank you for taking the time to make a comment.

[@paulkessler8622]

What did you end up setting it at?

[@juniorlicon9588]

Did my timing ,just like the Corvettehop did his and it runs like a champ . Thank you

[@onepathofreason1]

Don't forget that if you have a mechanical advance or adjustable vacuum advance you have to recheck your initial advance after setting your total advanced to see the difference and then change out your settings on your distributor whether it be mechanical or adjustable vacuum because you've already changed the initial advanced setting on your distributor. also 36° is not the perfect time for the small block Chevy it's just around average for most applications. To truly dial in your advance for your timing you would have to have your engine on a dyno. Also initial advance should probably be around 10 degrees before top dead center not at exactly top dead center, then after you set your 36 degrees of total timing, you will probably find that you're sitting somewhere around 19 degrees before top dead center in which case you would need to change out your mechanical weights and springs for a mechanical distributor or adjust your vacuum advance on your vacuum distributor unless you have an external controller for all this. and just in case anyone is curious the entire purpose for all of this is because you want the ignition spark to happen just before total compression that way because of the speed of the engine it will actually cause the explosion within the cylinder to happen as the Piston is going downward at roughly the correct time for every single cylinder every single time which will be approximately 10 degrees after tdc

[@foreverwood1963]

That was one of the best explanations I've heard thanks @one

[@alexanderleonidas7551]

excellent video, perfectly explained

[@partyboypaddylolasmaster3874]

thank you very much for the vid...way to explain...awesome

[@jhutch1470]

You did fine. You just checked total mechanical timing. What was your vacuum advance timing? You can get, or already have, an adjustable vacuum module on the distributor. Vacuum timing should be about 49 or 50 depending on the cam.

[@pu2396]

Fantastic video,keeps it simple. Thanks

[@TheWhatisright]

Thank you. Nice to get favorable comments from those using the videos.

[@RichieRich845]

Hi, looks and sounds like the bearing in your alternator is worn, 8:09. Thanks for the upload and yes I agree with you when you commented down below about the initial timing.

[@TheWhatisright]

Thank you, I will check that out. Thank for the nice comments.

[@tictocpops1_276]

Excellent , thanks for sharing

[@MrRobitaille26]

I think your video was amazing, iv always had troubles with timing with my builds. Its the only thing i didn't quite understand, the way you described everything was very informative and easy to learn. I understand how the process unfolds now and why, your amazing , Thank you! Iv subscribed and will continue to follow through my current build!

[@TheWhatisright]

Tim, Thank you so much for the comments. Nice to hear some good comments. I am happy I was able to help, that is the eitire reason I make the "Self Help" videos.

[@QdotRich]

Great video! Did you still have the vacuum advance on the distributor plugged when you set both your initial timing and total advance? I ask because some are saying to advance 12 or 14 then when everything is reconnected the vacuum advance will advance 22 or 24 depending on the distributor giving you a total of 36... Would you clear that up? About keeping the vacuum advance on the distributor plugged as well as total advance timing. Thanks!!!

[@amguit]

Thank you! I have a V8 350 71 Malibu that I just inherited. This helped me a lot as I need to inspect the timing. I would be interested in watching more vids of how you take care of routine maintenance on your corvette. Anything to help novices like me maintain these classics would be helpful.

[@TheWhatisright]

Thank you for the comments. Do you mean like change the oil, brakes, and air filter?

[@Matrix7neo]

This is a great video, my question is I know on my Small Block that I have a Tan/Black Stripe wire I need to unplug vs the vacuum hose, at least so I hear and then set my timing? I tried setting timing to 0 with it plugged in, and the car drove so bad it lacked major power, now I unplugged it and set that to 0 and now it runs great... I just would like a "little more" out of the acceleration? Do you think it's safe to up the 0 a few degrees on these Chevy Blocks? Thanks

[@rtchrger69]

Just a tip, Todays fuel is junk, meaning low octane combined with ethanol and other additives , I throw out base or initial timing and go right to total. Leave all vacuum hoses connected and bring engine to 2500 RPS or Greater so either mechanical or vacuum weights go to full advance and set to approximately 38 degrees, then let engine come back to idle ,then adjust idle as needed either up or down. You may have to go back and set air to fuel ratio on the carburetor again to get a nice smooth idle. THEN then take the vehicle for a ride and at a good point accelerate aggressively as you would to pass another vehicle and LISTEN for KNOCKING or PINGING , If you her these sounds you should set the timing back a few degrees at a time until there is NO! knocking or pinging as these sounds are detrimental to your engine if you hear them for an extended period of time. You can also advance the timing as well until you hear knocking or pinging. Then set it back so it doesn't knock or ping. The more timing your engine has with NO knocking or pinging the more power it will have and also run cooler because it will not be laboring. Please note if you change the octane number at the time of fill up these knocks or pings could come or go, so use the same octane ALL the time, be consistent and the engine will run more consistent REMEMBER these cars of yesteryear ran on 101 octane, WOW that was fuel!! ALL engines are different one may run great with 34 degrees total while the other may run as high as 48 degrees total, NOT knowing if compression ratio has been changed or the lift and duration of the camshaft has been changed and a lot of the time both have been changed! I have witnessed this personally in 440 Chrysler engines. AGAIN! don't be afraid to tweak the air and fuel ratio fore a nice Idle. PS as we enter summer months the warmer the day the more apt you are to hear knocking or pinging so adjust accordingly or keep your foot out of it on those hot days because it will cool off at night and we all know what cool knight time air an warm roads bring!! LOL.

[@giuseppelafronza3833]

rtchrger69 I agree! Your 2¢ might've just saved someone $1k on a new engine lol

[@jonathangilbert9092]

rtchrger69 You sound like someone who actually knows something about engine tuning. Help me out. My understanding is that distributors are supposed to run off a ported vacuum source, not a manifold source like a brake booster would use. I'm being flamed in a Chevy forum because I have indicated that ported vacuum is what is supposed to be used. I could use a little support.

[@hmdwn]

Everyone under the Sun and even in engine manuals says when adjusting 'Vacuum Advance' to remove and PLUG Distributor and Carb ports. You are the ONLY person that says when going for Timing adjustment to leave all vacuum hoses connect...why? I just need to understand your reasoning for your comment. Thanks

[@kCI251]

94 octane was about as high as they used to see unless you get AvGas at the airport.

[@juniorlicon9588]

I know it’s been a time since your post , I recently wanted to time my engine, did what you text and it ran like s%%t had backfire and can’t say it is carburetor, it’s brand new. Did it like the video said he did it and it runs like a champ!

[@jamesbranner2339]

great video very well explained only thing I can point out is when you said by setting this total timming it gives you the best air fuel mixture and really the carb does that and needs to be adjusted for proper air fuel mixture you are setting the best spark and most efficient tune with timing but again awesome job on video don't mean to nit pick

[@TheWhatisright]

James, That is a very good point. I should have worded it different. The thought was good timing makes the engine more efficient while providing better power. Thanks my friend for the great comment.

[@afromapouka]

Great Insight and touch to a subject that gives hope to the people who want to still work on their vehicles Nice Job there Big Guy nice Ride too, Jah Guide and Bless.

[@TheWhatisright]

Michael, Thank you for the nice comments. Nice to hear good comments every once in awhile..

[@PeachCoastLowrider]

Thank you so much sir !

[@clintgracia3612]

+TheWhatisright thanks for posting a thorough video. It's probably been mentioned, but the timing light's inductive pickup should be as close to the #1 plug as possible. The further you are from the plug, the more inaccurate your strobe is. It's not a detrimental amount at low RPM, but it's the right way. Also a little point of trivia, all stock Chevy V8 distributors will "point" directly at the #1 cylinder when it is at TDC if no one has monkeyed with it. Just remove the cap while cranking and watch the rotor to help get you lined up.

[@TheWhatisright]

Clint Gracia Clint, thank you so much for the great info.

[@mohamedcheraitia4846]

nice I am using this as a guide to adjust mine

[@recardenas2004]

Great video! Very detailed thank you very much

[@TheWhatisright]

Ruben, Thank you for the nice comments.

[@mcethancord]

Great informative video. Thanks

[@TheWhatisright]

Ethan Mccord Thank you and thank you for taking the time to make comments.

[@jy7duality]

Thank you man I appreciate this video

[@TheWhatisright]

You are welcome. I hope it helped. Corvette Hop

[@ThePeanutization]

Great! Very cleqr and detailed. Btw. Is this also applicable for other engines like inline4 in my case?

[@dylanhoneyfield568]

What's the best initial timing and total timing for a 327 SBC with stage 2 cam, fuellie heads and roller rockers with holley 750 double pumper? Is 36 ideal?

[@dabman9688]

nice video helped me with my c10

[@penalozaabel357]

Awesome thanks Mr

[@dadams19111]

Excellent!!!

[@michaelcongilio7484]

Excellent. Your exactly right.

[@samanthaeckhardt3070]

This video is awesome. Your better than paid teachers.

[@TheWhatisright]

That is a very nice thing to say. Thank you so much. Corvette Hop.

[@mickimartiniii]

Ooooooh Whoa! Your demonstration is informative, and very much appreciated! Although... I had to watch your video a few times, I was having difficulty concentrating on the mechanicals when my eyes were fixated on the Vette ~ CRAZY BEAUTIFUL!! :)

[@gbodyperformance]

Will that still work if the timing gun just strobes and doesn't have the ability to do what yours does?

[@dylanfaist7446]

you can always adjust the throttle screw to keep the motor precisely running at 3000 rpms

[@TheWhatisright]

Dylan, Thank you.

[@chxbush]

thanks great video.

[@alfredsalazar582]

Best timing video on KZbin

[@cutbaitkenny]

Thanks for helping through your video, the tip about using the alternator as a power source saved me some problems as my battery is mounted under the truck. Wish you would of shown a little more about the timing light once you get it dialed in to 36 degrees does it show that on the timing light? Thanks again

[@TheWhatisright]

Kenny, very good points and great suggestion. I did make some changes and put more of the timing light in a revised video that I made serve months ago. I decided to keep the old video posted because it had many links to other sites and shares. This is the newer version of the video with more on the timing light and some better views. It also has a few other small changes to make it a little better. Enjoy my friend kzbin.info?o=U&video_id=vqJ3VT92WlU Corvette Hop

[@AhmadAl-dahoud]

hi there, great video, i follow your steps but when connecting the vacuum advance hose, the idle speed rise, do i need to readjust the idle speed after setting the timing., what is your initial time was after the you finished.

[@jackiestewart2382]

great video.. I have a sb 350 in my s10.. it has been set up at 36 degrees but I notice that my vacuum advance is plugged off,, thought that was normal since the timing is locked in, but I saw you hooked the vacuum line back up,,, I am experiencing timing ping when im in a higher gear and at lower rpms and accelerate fairly hard,,, could this be my reason,,,,, just simply hooking up the vacuum line or is my engine supposed to be without advance???? would love some help,, thanks

[@coltoncatt6616]

you total timing is advanced too far.

[@roylocal6000]

Is it done the same way without the vacuum advance on distributor?

[@habideenmolake]

Great video! How much did adjusting total timing affect base timing? Thanks!

[@TheWhatisright]

Slightly, about 1.5 degrees. I could tell a difference on the highway but not at ideling.

[@justinbabula6730]

9 years later and still don't have a video about this topic lol that's why I am here. I built a small block 350 and I cant get it to start and its backfiring out the carb and the exhaust. I decided to redue the TDC and drop distributor back in and now I am backfiring out of the carb only.

[@willleonard5855]

I still have to time my 86 chevy c10 , but do you put the distributor vacuum line on the ported carb fitting or manifold pressure fitting

[@KyleSmith-gx1qy]

will leonard Ported Carb fitting.

[@ThatGuy-rb7ft]

Thanks for sharing. The info is great but i have a question, when u dail 36° for advance timing, does the timing light adjust so it reads 36° at the mark? I guess my question is what does the timing light do when you adjust the back dial?

[@TheWhatisright]

My timing light makes the adjustment.

[@ramthaLord]

thanks again for this great video , when putting the engine into 2500 to 3000 (it is stander to all 350 70's engine ,because I have z28 1978 ) and set the timing to TDC , is this get the best performance to the engine , or give factory setting . thanks Ahmad

[@coltoncatt6616]

that will not be the best performing time. it will be the most efficent, if you want to talk about performance you will have to decide your normal rpms, if you talking about 3500+ rpms all the time, you will get better performance from a further advanced time. unless your doing time trials or what not, i would stick to this factory time.

[@vezina808]

When did you stick on the timing tape on the balancer?

[@MotorheadATX]

I have a 78 c10 with a 350 and I can't get it to fire. It cranks very slow as if it has a low battery but the battery is new and so is the starter. I have tried setting initial timing like you showed in the video but no luck. Do you have any tips?

[@TheWhatisright]

Jasnal1 Jasnal, that can be several things. It sounds like you do not have spark. You will need to make sure you have spark on your number 1 spark plug. You could be 180 degrees out but normal you will know that with a back fire. Also, do you have points in your distributor or an HEI? I had a bad ground on my HEI coil and did not have any spark on my plugs. Where are you located? Give me a call if you can.

[@14thgeorgesstreet15]

Hi, thanks for your help. I'm French and after traduce here's what I anderstand : - to tune the initial timing to 0 degree with distributor valve disconnected by turning it.. - then for total timing, to set 12 degree at 600 rpm and 36 degree at 2 500 to 3 000 rpm I have to turn the screw inside distributor vavle. Have I all good ? My engine is 350 small block 1982 vette injection swap to quadrajet. if you have any suggestion, It would be nice. Thank you again.

[@DrFail35000vr]

Thanks, this video was very helpful in answering my basic questions. Will be checking to see what it was set at on my 377 ('81 Z-28)

[@terrycramer8809]

Hai Fail m

[@DingDangg]

When you put it to TDC to set timing do you put it on the combustion or intake stroke?

[@TheWhatisright]

+Ron S Ron, It needs to be #1 Combustion. Another way to see if it is at #1 TDC is to pull the Distributor cap. If the rotor is pointing at the #1 spark plug wire then it is at TDC. Keep in mind, this is only required for initial starting after the car was worked on, distributor remove, heads repair, or major engine work. If the car is running, one can simply check timing by attaching a timing light and make adjustments by moving the distributor to the left or right.

[@ImpalamansGarage]

ah the good old golf tee. lol..... do the same thing with my 78!

[@TheWhatisright]

One of the best tools ever made LOL

[@jimmysapien9961]

Very interesting & your Vette is beautiful!!!!!

[@TheWhatisright]

Thank you.

[@jimmysapien9961]

CorvetteHop wish I had one omg 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@leemp337]

Awesome video thank you for your help. Just curious on your thoughts for a 1970 stock 350 w/rochester 4bbl. Do you prefer ported or manifold vacuum for your distributor advance vacuum source?

[@TheWhatisright]

The Rochester is a very good carburetor. The only reason I changed was for the newer technology. Plus, my 350 chevy is not a number matching engine. The engine was replaced many years ago by a previous owner. No preference on ported or manifold. I just work with what I have. I do love the Elec Ignition Module upgrade for the distributors that replaced the old points. Elec Ignition Module was the best and cheapest upgrade ever.

[@arthurmoore1524]

Pre emissions model years (78? Back?) You would hook it to manifold Smog control and dummy computer model years, you wanna hook to ported.

[@lucassanders9951]

Looks like I'm all dialed-in- thanks for the extremely helpful video. Now where is your video on carburetor adjustments?! :-)

[@TheWhatisright]

Lucas, You are welcome. I am happy the video helped you and thanks for the nice comments.

[@TheWhatisright]

Lucas, one is on fuel air mixture and the other is on choke adjustments. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWq6lJWma8SshLM and kzbin.info/www/bejne/r57Qo32pn8Zqa6c

[@TheWhatisright]

TheWhatisright , sorry this link may be better. @edit?o=U&video_id=ymmrJsja75E or @watch?v=ymmrJsja75E

[@gustavette8487]

Great video. It looks like you set initial timing to "0", but shouldn't it be at 6* or even up to 12*? ...and then, total timing at around 36* (before reconnecting vacuum)? Another question, if the TDC line is "below" the red pointer "tab" (when you do not have a dial light) is that BTDC ot ATDC?

[@dirtyburd71]

The initial timing didn't stay at 0°. Once total timing was set (moving the distributor), the first step was made completely irrelevant. He didn't recheck the initial timing. If he had, it would have been somewhere around 6-10 btdc. The first part of the video was a waste of time.

[@fly75757574]

I have a 383 stroke and the distributor skipped time. When I set the distributer back in is it true to se the distributor at #1 tdc at 12 degrees before tdc or dead on zero for initial start up ?

[@johnnysalazar1552]

Well explained

[@leebraziel2774]

Will this work on my 77 cutlass supreme 350 rocket

[@Omar-mv5gs]

Nice Video When you disconnected the golf tee from the vacuum hose I didn't hear any motor change or when reconnected to the vac can. I just put a new 454 in a c3 and trying to do all the work myself, when I disconnect and plug the vac hose from the can I can hear and see a big difference in the motor. You think I'm doing something wrong? Looks like the same type of HEI ignition I was thinking maybe my mechanical advance is not kicking in until a faster rpm but that's just a guess got any ideas? Thanks mitchell

[@TheWhatisright]

Mitchell, I think you are fine. The advance will not kick in until rpms increase.

[@collinemorris]

So, here are my thoughts, which I believe have been stated in comments below... Your method of finding TDC on cylinder 1 is perfectly sound. And really, there's a margin of error of at least plus or minus a tooth or two, made up later by setting initial timing. However, once you have set initial by rotating the dizzy and buttoning it down, it does not need to be touched again. If you tamper with it again, in order to manipulate total advance timing, your initial is skewed again. There are typically two other (post mid 60s or so) mechanical apparatus which play a role in total advance timing, and that is a vacuum advance, if equipped, and centrifugal weight system under the dizzy cap and rotor, for centrifugal advance. In order to manipulate timing from these devices, you must physically make changes, as they are set if they're working properly and cannot be changed by rotating the distributor.

[@TheWhatisright]

Collin Morris Collin, thank you so much. Great input.

[@clintgracia3612]

Collin Morris, adding to your info: mechanical advance does not modify total advance, unless you physically elongate the limiter slot. The centrifugal weights and spring tension set the advance CURVE, or the rate of advance as dist shaft RPM increases and max dist shaft RPM required to achieve total advance. Weights are seldom changed, changing the spring tension is safer and sharpens or flattens the rate of increase. Vacuum advance adds up to about 20 degrees of advance from a "timed" port, which has no vacuum until right after the throttle plate is opened. The total 20 degrees is not adjustable unless you have a performance distributor. As the throttle is opened further, vacuum decreases and advance is reduced. The only way to change total advance without modifying the length of the slot in the mechanical advance is to rotate the distributor.

[@ryanheriot3612]

Thank you very much, sir. I appreciate the time you took to make this video. I have to do this on my 1975 k10 plow truck and this video explains everything I need to know.

[@nickripley1604]

Finally thank you sir

[@ramthaLord]

Hi there just a quick question , what is the best alternative distributor for the chevy 350 LM1, because i have been looking around i found two option one for replace the original OEM and the other offer more output(65K) , what type of distributor you have? what you recommend ? any help will be much appreciated.

[@TheWhatisright]

I used the standard OEM HEI replacement. I do have problems with my coil burning out so I may have a grounding problem that I need to figure out.

[@starfirerider]

What about curving the distributor to get the total timing?

[@King-qv1pd]

Hot do you do with an old timing light/gun? I don't have a fancy one just an old one.

[@brentadams318]

The older timing lights will just light up every time your marker on the harmonic balancer reaches TDC for your #1 cylinder. The indicator that's above your harmonic balancer to help you identify TDC hopefully has a set of degrees on it (mine shows me up to 16 degrees advanced, and up to 8 degrees retarded timing). As the engine is running and you rotate the distributor you can see where the TDC marker on the balancer matches up to the degrees you need based on what's available on your indicator.

[@thabiznizz]

I think this video is pretty good.

[@TheWhatisright]

+thabiznizz Well thank you. I know it is not prefect but hopefully it helps others.

[@ZakTheRipper18]

I've heard dial-back timing lights can be unreliable in their accuracy when used on motors with HEI distributors. I don't know for sure though. I just got my '70 GMC pickup started after rebuilding the dizzy, and I think I'll use timing tape to check total timing. Would love to find some info on the different combos of advance plates and springs used, too. Like, a chart or something.

[@TheWhatisright]

Snakes, Mine worked just fine. I have not done advance plates and springs on mine yet.

[@calebmcole1]

thank you

[@allenblackman1459]

I start mine, get it up to operating temp losen the dist. take it down the road and advance the timing till it knocks, then back it off till it don't, tighten the dist. its done.................

[@TheWhatisright]

Allen, sounds great and happy that works.

[@glennmanchester1568]

That's the way we always did it by ear just keep an eye on those mechanical advance weights I've seen them get stuck and not open. It would start great but no power advance it to have power it wont start get a curve kit and make sure all that works right

[@222bebob]

When setting total timing do you move the dizzy till it’s on 36 degrees?

[@lisahanks5150]

dizzy sounds funny