Ignition advice...

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Feb 28, 2008 | 09:46 AM

dutchlincoln79

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Ignition advice...

Hello,As some of you know already, i upgraded my 400 engine a bit. I've put in a RV cam, edelbrock performer intake, got rid of the carb, and installed a holley baseplate with a Impco 425 carb, installed new springs and retainers, and today i put in my freshly MSD 8477 distributor, SS-blaster coil, MSD6AL ignition box, and at last, 8.5mm Helically MSD cables..

Now, about the timing of the distributor, there are some options, also about curving.
I left the stock stop in it (maximise 21 deg. advance), and a blue/silver spring (quite steepy curve: full advance at 2500RPM.) Vacuum is 10 degrees, and initial currently set to 10 degrees.

Are there any tips, advices, hints on how to set it all up?
Seems quite neat the way it currently is, but i find a total advance of 10+10+21=41 deg. a bit far, right?

thanks.

Feb 28, 2008 | 10:51 AM

53fatfndr

Cargo Master

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 2,561

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From: Earth

I think my setup is pretty close to yours, timing wise. I have all MSD stuff as well, box, coil and dizzy. However, I am running the mechanical advance distributor. Anyway, I would play around with the curve to see which you like the best, that's what I did. I noticed the quicker I could get my timing to come in (in regards to RPM), the quicker my truck accelerated. However, it was at risk of predetonation (pinging), so I backed off the timing a little bit. My initial, base timing, has always remained at 10* advanced. I just adjusted the springs and bushings in the distributor. This is kind of fun to do, and IMO, you will find what you like best. Just listen to your engine and make sure it isn't destroying itself

Feb 28, 2008 | 10:57 AM

dutchlincoln79

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well, thats the hard part: On gas you'd hear it pinging, and know to back off...
I run on propane solely now, and propane won't ping... (atleast i never heard it...)
alreasy have one of the most early advancing coils in the distri... blue and silver.
For the fastest, i could go to twice blue...
Strange thing is, that the MSD manual advices to advance, until starter gets a load, and starting is hard, then back off a bit....
A kind a rude way to determine initial i guess...?

Mine is all mechanical also, the electronic curved distributors are only available for the 302 engine unfortunately....

Feb 28, 2008 | 01:28 PM

beartracks

Lead Driver

Joined: Nov 2000

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From: Albuquerque

Normally you don't count the vacuum advance in the total. That would leave you with only 31 total which is pretty conservative.

Feb 28, 2008 | 02:30 PM

dutchlincoln79

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okay, i thought that i had to add everything up.
So, we all think: More! ?
And then more what? more mechanical, or more initial? Both?

How doest teh initial setting sound, to the point cranking becomes hard, then backoff e few degrees and leave it there?
Sounds rude to me, but it could work though...