Timing problems

Here is a tricky one. I have a Buddy who is 70 degress of total timing in order for his car to run decent. He is running 22 degrees inital timing as well. If he backs the timiong off to coorect numbers 40 degrees total, 12 degrees inital the car runs like crap. Could this be caused by incorrectly installing the cam? Maybe ingnition problems? he has tried two different distributors with no luck.
Thanks for the help

70 mach 428fe

Originally Posted by cmayes

Here is a tricky one. I have a Buddy who is 70 degress of total timing in order for his car to run decent. He is running 22 degrees inital timing as well. If he backs the timiong off to coorect numbers 40 degrees total, 12 degrees inital the car runs like crap. Could this be caused by incorrectly installing the cam? Maybe ingnition problems? he has tried two different distributors with no luck.
Thanks for the help
70 mach 428fe

I personally believe the cam gear is off one tooth.

Is he running vacuum advance or not??
70 degrees total sounds like your using vacuum advance. If this is the case you need to plug the hose once you disconnect it from the vacuum canister on the side of the dizzy. Try setting the initial timing then. IF you set the total timing the initial timing will fall into place. Hope this info helps answer your question. I think mine shows around 50-55 degrees total timing with the vacuum advance hooked up. With it plugged, I see 20 initial and 34 total timing.

Originally Posted by Spali32

Is he running vacuum advance or not??
70 degrees total sounds like your using vacuum advance. If this is the case you need to plug the hose once you disconnect it from the vacuum canister on the side of the dizzy. Try setting the initial timing then. IF you set the total timing the initial timing will fall into place. Hope this info helps answer your question. I think mine shows around 50-55 degrees total timing with the vacuum advance hooked up. With it plugged, I see 20 initial and 34 total timing.

It currently has an MSD mechanical advance. We also tried a HEI with the vacuum plugged off and had the same results. Thanks for your input

What engine is it?

Is it a 302 withe the multi positional crank gear?

need to find true TDC...and check the harmonic damper for slippage, then mark true TDC and go from their...

What in the BERJEEZUS engine does this car have?

I wonder what his specs are, stock everything or goosed up cam or virgin 30K mile block... Etc... Etc...