timing on a 440

[Kevin71]

I have read that the timing should be set at 2500 rpm with vacum line removed and plugged.  And it should be set around 36*.  The plate on my timing cover goes from 0 to 20.  What am I missing here.  Also looked in a old Chiltons and it says the timing should be set at top dead center.  I didn't build this engine so I don't know if the cam was degreed and would that make a difference.

[usraptr]

Per my 1970 "Motors" auto repair manual a "U" motor, manual, timing is TDC at 900 RPM.  Auto is 2 1/2 degrees at 800 RPM.
440 "V" code is 5 degrees at 900 RPM for both manual and auto.  Hope this helps.  Good luck.   

PS that with the vacuum hose disconnected and plugged.

[Kevin71]

Thanks I will give that a try. 

[Strawdawg]

I have read that the timing should be set at 2500 rpm with vacum line removed and plugged.  And it should be set around 36*.  The plate on my timing cover goes from 0 to 20.  What am I missing here.  Also looked in a old Chiltons and it says the timing should be set at top dead center.  I didn't build this engine so I don't know if the cam was degreed and would that make a difference.

That would be total timing (without vacuum advance) and not initial timing.

A search here should provide plenty of information as well as a post or two by Chryco with a distance to mark 36 or 38 degs off on the damager from the tdc line so that you can rev the engine to 2500 and line your new mark up with the zero mark on the timing tab when adjusting the distributor.

There may be a fly in the ointment that many of us like more timing at idle than this may give us....I like 16 degs or so at idle...and how this works out depends on how much mechanical advance there is built into the distributor....plenty of articles on line on the entire procedure.

[Cooter]

Quoted from Chryco

The engine spend 90% of the time running at full advance above the advance curve so it is more important to have the timing set there than at idle. Most engine want more intial advance at idle than the factory curve will allow

Set the timing between 36-38* above 2500 rpm [ I usually turn the idle speed screw up to keep the rpm steady]with the vacuum hooked up , if it is over advanced you can hear it pop/ misfire in the exhaust.
I f you do not have a timing lite with the advance feature you can put a mark or cut into the damper 2 3/8" clockwise form TDC this is 36*

Now reset the idle speed & now try advancing the timing at idle , if the idle speed picks up it wants more initial timing so you need to shorten the curve.

You can put a small allen wrench into the hose nipple on the vacuum advance unit & turn counter clockwise to reduce the amount of extra advance the vacuum gives you & shorten the timing curve  [it will turn approx 14 turns total & will not hurt anything if you unthread it too far]

Now reset the timing above 2500 RPM  & try again at idle until it runs best both at idle & above 2500 rpm

I f you completely disable the vacuum advance & the engine still wants more advance at idle with the total timing set properly  the only option is to disassemble the dist & put a small tack weld in theslots for the advance weights which will shorten the curve even more

You will probably be surprised how much better the gas milage , response & power you will be adjusting the timing this way

[Chryco Psycho]

mark a line 2 3/8" clockwise on the damper & that is 36* at the zero line on the scale