The proper Initial and vacuum, mopar 440 ignition timing HOW TO.

Ok we got the total timing figured out but the car is still hard to start and drive now what? Time for the proper initial time and for gas mileage... proper vacuum advance timing. mopar 440

[joemancini]

Good to see someone who knows what they're talking about. Curious though, why do you use constant instead of ported vacuum?

[dentsidej]

Absolute best tutorial on the matter on YouTube. Can’t find the old timer wisdom in a digestible format like this. I’ve watched every single other timing video on YouTube and they don’t quite have the all business and straightforward, streamlined explanations and how to’s this video has. Don’t really comment on much stuff on here, but this is a gem of a video. Keep up the good work, man

[Coronetguy]

Dang, I love the “ glug glug sound” lol. But the response of the advqnce is amazing.. you have got me messing with my 68 440 timing. Already getting results..

[KevinRoadrageGarage]

I ended up recurving my MSD pro billet distributor on my sbc 383. After watching (old man's garage) he tells everybody just lock out your distributor so that's what I did in the beginning. So much better now. I ordered a digital timing light with a tach. Installed an adjustable vacuum canister. Today I followed your video step by step. The car runs great now. Little unsure of how to tune the canister so it's adjusted soft as it gets. On the highway the AFR was 14.7-15.5. smells better and sounds smoother for a 510 lift cam. I appreciate your well detailed video. Nobody else seems to be able to make people understand completely.

[felixlafuente]

Jacob will be a great tuner if he follows grandpa advice! I love you guys. Building great memories

[KevinRoadrageGarage]

This is the best video so far that I have found that explains step by step the best. Had to watch 5 watched so many other videos. I've never been impressed with Uncle Tony or thunderhead289. But thank you Chris Birdsong for pointing me to this channel. Im a GM guy but Mopar guys definitely have taught me more. Thank you.

[LunarOutlawsGarage]

Great video guys! Always awesome that you are teaching the next generation!

[vforvendetta]

I'm glad i found your channel. Have a charger with a 383 mag. I am currently getting ready to restore it and was gonna take it to a local dodge dealer to work on but they told me they no longer have the books or mechanics that can work on it. Gonna watch and learn.

[danraihala]

I like the video, so this is my understanding
(Please correct me if I’m wrong). The vacuum comments were picked up from other videos but seem to be valid. All numbers are just for discussion:

INITIAL TIMING:
Set idle speed. Start car. Watch vacuum gauge for smoothest idle/highest rpm -around (18) with vacuum adv. this IS your initial timing after all other testing. This allows a hot car to start. With the VA connected, timing will be higher after starting.

FULL ADVANCE:
With no changes to the distributor, run up the RPM until full mechanical advance comes in and note the timing and RPM. This may be higher than max timing (42). Total mech advance is (24). We want total mechanical advance to be at (35), so we need to take out (24-17=7) degrees of timing out of the distributor by adjusting the distributor stops (add screws). Remove distributor, add/file screws to limit the bottom end of the distributor timing movement. The Full advance side should not be adjusted.

Reinstall the distributor and re time to (18). Maximum timing at (2000) rpm should be 35 with no advance.


VACUUM ADVANCE SETTING:
At full mechanical advance rpm (2000?) and advanced plugged in, check the timing and write it down. (Ie. 50). again turn the distributor to get it smooth. Recheck the timing (ie. 45). The difference is (-5). This is the amount of adjustment to take (OUT) of the vacuum advance canister. Adjust the canister with 3/32 Allen wrench. As this process messes up the initial timing, re adjust the distributor to be at (18). At (2000) rpm we should now see (45) as max timing instead of (50). The process is now done and the distributor can be locked down.

[elrolo]

Good job. I learn something every time. Restored my 86 d150 318. Trying to keep it stock. It has Computer front fender d.s. behind the battery. Also has 2 barrel rebuilt carb. It runs normally beautiful except...
Has developed an intermittent missfire/ backfire hot or cold, load or no-load.
Replaced coil, distributor, computer, most sensors, plugs, wires relays etc.
Still trying to find prob.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge, experience and teaching the young student.

[yeboscrebo]

Fantastic info! This is exactly what I needed to see. Thank you so much for sharing!

[jacoblane]

I tried that on my Hot Wheels and they work good now!

[bvbberserk]

Very interesting video, thank you for sharing your knowledge

[VATIONRD]

Tall John you right. I've never ran mine so low until it sounds like it's loping like it's got a big cam in it, I've always carried the timing up until it idles the highest, and then back it down just a little and it has the best acceleration and more Road power.

[BEERxBeerhound]

Love the new hair cuts guys....great video. love you guys...

[MuscleCityMadness]

Great Video John and Great Info as Always! 🤘🏁🍻

[totenopf]

Thank you, great video! What was your timing at idle with the vacuum connected? If i set my initial at 22 plus my manifold vacuum vfor the canister at idle (29) that will be 51 BTDC for me at idle!!

Cadillac 500 engine
8.5:1 compression
Stock cam

What would be an ideal initial and total timing? Then timing at idle with vacuum as I’m struggling to get a smooth idle! Engine keeps shaking at idle

[martintorres]

Hello John, I’m a little confused here; Since you have full vacuum timing, how do you adjust timing(3/32 Allen), if your vacuum pot input is occupied all time with the vacuum pipe ?. Thanks for answering. God bless you. BR

[jsherman]

Thank you for your time producing this video. Have you ever had to adjust the vacuum canister with a Allan wrench?
BTW nice thermoquad

[j_kelly]

Wanted to doublecheck, this distributor has the heavy spring gone and the light spring tweaked with the screwdriver to lighten the action so that at 2000 rpm the distributor has full mechanical advance? Thank you, this series is very informative. I found out about you from watching Chris birdsong video on timing btw.