Tuning a Distributor's Advance Curve (For MAX Performance & Power!)

STOP IGNORING THIS TUNING ITEM - so many folks leave power on the table where their engine is so much more capable. "timing is everything" !!!

[ThunderHead]

put on your thinking cap today, were talking ignition timing.
Get yourself a re-curve kit for your distributor, and a timing light and go to town - ignition timing matters so much more than folks ever give it credit for - "timing is everything"

[hhflyer]

"It's not about more timing...it's about correct timing." Brilliant!

[johnterpack]

Back in the day before EFI was even a dream, there was a saying, "99% of carb problems are electrical".

[KurtTank]

I have a 390 in my 68 ford truck. Switched to Pertronix in my stock dist., smartest thing I ever did

[calvineller]

I too have a truck weighing 5500 lbs. I worked for about 6hrs changing springs, It was worth every minute. I'm a GM MAN, and still enjoy your videos. Thanks

[toddcoleman]

Make a video to show people how to properly use a timing gun. Keep up the great videos.

[jasonbuck]

These videos always make me think of all the vehicles ive had, that ive complained about the carb. I have no doubt the ignition was the actual culprit. No matter what i did i never got the response from the engine i was looking for. Thank you for your videos.

[CrazyPetez]

In the old days there was a Sun distributor machine at virtually every tuneup facility. It was a good tool to set the centrifugal timing on a distributor. Used in conjunction with your road test method, you could obtain perfect timing and have a record of your advance curve.

[djrand]

SO much to learn, so little time! Thanks for the timing lesson.

[stelitejet]

Love how the video starts with him casually holding a distributor sitting in side his truck 🤣😂

[jjsgarage]

As In life in general. Timing is everything”.

[Charles_S.]

Very well said Luke, I also use to build small block Fords back in the day. Another great way to keep track of how the timing curve is advancing (and at what rate) is to draw a graph with RPM's (every 200 RPM's) on a vertical plane and degrees of advance (every 2 degrees) on a horizontal plane. Now with a timing light you can register the advance every 200 RPM's with a dot on the graph and after 3000 or so RPM's connect the dots to get your distributor curve. This plus test driving for maximum cylinder load (no preignition) is a great "cheap way" to see what's really going on. Maybe you could do a video on it, might help alot of people out. Happy Wrenching.

[mkjack]

Such concise and essential information in your videos which you make so easy to understand.... thanks for doing what you do 👌

[brettelmerelmer]

My introduction to mechanical advance came in the form of a 1986 GMC Suburban, 350 and manual 4 speed. The mechanic that recurved that one put the lightest springs in that the kit had to offer. I always drove it dead stick, and the next time I drove it, when I backed off the throttle to change gears, it felt like someone still had their foot in it. Great information, and well presented. Thank you.

[clint]

Just swapped my intake manifold on my 315M Ford Bronco(edelbrock 4brl)..runs great the timing improvement was more noticeable.

[Pork-Chopper]

What worked for me is a light spring, n a medium spring. The kit comes with light, medium, n heavy springs. I did this to both
motors, a small block n big block Chevy.
Timing ended up at 10° on the small block n 12° on the big block. Total advance on both is about at 36°. They both run great. Both have good pickup, passing gears kick-in strong, and both have good idle. Now, as far as the carburetor, distributor, operator, relationship, you may have to consult Dr Phil... 🤔

[reevesautomotivefarm]

I wish more people knew about this. Without proper timming you get poor gas millage, and losse power. Not running manifold vac and ported vac to your vacuum advace is the another way to loose gas millage, power, and drivability. I put a timming light on my 1994 f150 and guesse what 30 degrease timming at idle. I set my Nova and K20 up this way with about the same timming. Ported vac was a crude way to produce less emitions pre-catalitic converter.

[erwinallen]

You are correct about the timing but its also about transmission timing especially if you have an automatic transmission. in the bottom of the distributor is a plate most have two sides to this plate and can be turned over.there is a knotch on both ends of different lengths make sure yours are correct for your transmission.

[hhflyer]

Interestingly enough, I'm working on the timing for my boat motor (Mercruiser 465 HO). Timing in a marine application has many challenges and it's difficult to hear any detonation. The factory distributor has no vacuum canister nor does it have any kind of centrifugal weight system. I'm guessing it's a 'computer' controlled advance curve. I'm going to test that with the timing light soon. Another challenge with a boat is running on your muffs past idle speed can damage the impeller and/or not provide enough cooling water for the engine. Someday I'll replace all the Merc parts with MSD but the boat runs about 70 MPH now and it's pretty scary at that speed. LOL.

[jcnpresser]

I’m the only guys in my shop with a timing light, and I’m under 40, barely lol. I put the pertronix rebuild kit for my sbc in a 79 shortwide and used the middle springs. Really woke that engine up. Made a huge difference just when you would free rev it, it would spin up so quick.