I'm wondering how to get just a bit more fire from my points ignition. This 351w has a rebuilt dist., all new cap, 8mm wires, plugs gaped at 0.050, and Accel super stock coil. The points are set at 0.017. I changed the dist. springs to get earlier advance, which helped alot. My timing is set at 8 D initial and the mechanical advance is 36 D for a total of 44 BTDC at about 2800rpm. My problem is some late burning gas that sounds like a leaking exhaust, and a very sooty tail pipe. The carb is rebuilt and the truck is running well other than it carbons up a bit if you idle too long on low idle. The noise is at lower rpm's and disappears at higher rpm's or as you decelerate/ease off throttle on flat stretches of road. I don't often get above 2800rpm in my driving so the noise rarely disappears altogether. The plugs are one stage hotter than standard for 351w. The vacuum advance is adjusted all the way out and is on manifold vacuum which gives me a good idle but no advance help thereafter. This is the best compromise so far. The truck is getting about 11 mpg loaded and starts and runs fine once it is warm. Is the fire too weak? Is the carb too rich? Would hotter plugs or more advance help/hurt the engine? Am I already at the limits of this ignition? Am I crazy?

 

The first thing I would do is to regap your plugs to .035- .050 is way too large a gap in my opinion, especially for points. Then check your points again to make sure they are set to factory specs. Then adjust your timing accordingly. Once you are certain that your ignition is where it should be, then look at the possibility of your carb running too rich- BUT ONLY AFTER THE IGNITION SETTINGS ARE CORRECTED.

Keep us posted and good luck-

Joe

 

Thanks. I am trying the plug gaps today. The points are supposed to be .017 I think.

 

if you want a hotter spark, get rid of those points and swap to an electronic ignition.