Timing a 440 six pack

[dana60]

My 440 six pack is timed at 8* right now and tops out at 37* at 2800 rpm. There is a little smoke when idling and I think it is to rich, I turned the lean screw ( clockwise ) to lean it but I only can turn it one turn before it hits the stop.  Just wondering if you guys had any ideas of of how lean it should be or if there is something I am missing?? it is a Holley. Thanks for all your help!


 

[the_engineers]

Does it stumble or die when it hits the stop?  How do you plugs look?

[dana60]

It does not stumble when it hits the stop, spark plugs are clean.

[AMXguy]

I have a 440 six pack and I'm running 15 initial, 36 all in mechanical and 54 with the vac advance hooked up. I'm idleing rich but my plugs look good so I've just given up on it. try adjusting the idle mix in on the outboards and check your vacuum to see if you need to change the power valve. other than that I don't know what to tell you but I'll be watching to see if anyone else has an idea.

[Chryco Psycho]

  with the timing , 12-14 initial & 36 total is better
depending on the cam you have you may have inadequate vacuum to keep the powervalve closed at idle so you may need a lower vacuum power valve

[moper]

The end carbs have idle mixture screws too, but if the carbs are new or original they are capped. In terms of idle quality, float settings are critical, as is the correct power valve like CP mentionned and idle speed. IMO, you should be re-curving the distributor to get more initial and the same total again, just like CP suggests. timing needs to be set before the carb does. So I'd limit the centrifical advance first, then take a vacuum reading at idle in gear if it's an auto and get a closer power valve. Then do the carb work.