Johnny208

Hey guys couple quick questions...
Did new points, condenser, rotor, cap, wires, and plugs on the 318, trying to figure out the timing. The vacuum advance is pulling (roughly) 28* of timing at idle... Is this normal? I cant figure out whether the motor is manifold vacuum or ported.
For reference the carb is a stromberg ww 3-251 that has been recently rebuilt.
My specs say that 10* of timing at idle is where it wants to be.
Someone please save me a migraine haha.
(AKA paging RacerHog. BOB SAVE ME)
Johnny

RacerHog

As long as you have the points set rite... Then you can set the timing to 10* and then reset the curb idle and you should be good to go.. Dont try to go crazy with the timing curve in that old poly motor or you will knock the pistons out of it.

You could upgrade to this...

http://www.racingjunk.com/Street/182...ar-motor-.html

Johnny208

While I appreciate the link to the 440... Thats a bit out of my price range sir lol.
Points are set at 17 thou (off same spec sheet that says 10* timing) Dwell is at 30.
I guess my question is should i set the initial timing with the vac advance hooked up or not? And should it be pulling that much vac at idle?
Thank you again Bob, you're a rock star!
Johnny

TVLynn

Set it with the vacuum advance disconnected

RacerHog

I'm with Lynn... Set it Disconnected.....
No.. if you hook up the hose and it pulls to full advance. You have the dist. hooked to the wrong vacuum port...
Hook it to a port that has no vacuum at idle. The port should only have vacuum when you open the throttle....
Use you vacuum gauge to test the ports for accuracy.

Johnny208

I only have 2 ports on the back of the carb... one for the choke and one for the vac advance. They both seem to be pulling full vac at idle, and are both well above the throttle plate. I swapped the hoses and had the same issue. I used a vac gauge to test the vac advance and it took roughly 15in lbs to move it. Do I need an interrupter of some sort or to neck up or down the hose size? Im confused.
Thanks for your help guys!
Johnny

RacerHog

Nope..... If you don't have ported Vacuum.... You are done with that type of system..... You will need to convert to a full mechanical Ignition advance Dist.
You can now discard using the vacuum advance.
Once you pick up the new dist. then you can take and have it recurved for your application / needs.

Now with that said.... If there is an old hot rod shop around your town... They might be able to help you recurve your dist. to work so you don't have to buy a dist. But that takes someone that knows how to do that....