timing & dwell for 283 230hp.

[Don Izzo]

Can someone give me the specs for dwell angle (single point distributor) and timing for my 1960? I see in the service manuel that timing is 12 Degrees advanced and dwell is 28-32degrees. Are these numbers correct? is the timing 12 degrees btdc or after? My mechanic said 12 degrees seem wrong. He thought 4 degrees btdc was more appropriate for a small block chevy. Thanks!

Don

[William C.]

Re: timing & dwell for 283 230hp.

28-32 degrees is correct 12 degrees is also reasonable for this engine/distributor combo. The factory actually allows 8-14 as a range, looking at performance vs detonation "ping" work toward the high end unless you encounter detonation. Your mechanic is too young to remember a "real" smallblock from the pre-smog era.

[Mike M.]

Re: timing & dwell for 283 230hp.

clup: are you insinuating old gray haired flatus expellers are, after all, good for something? regards, mike

[William C.]

Re: timing & dwell for 283 230hp.

Nope, just that pre-smog engine calibrations differ greatly from the later calibrations developed unde goverment mandates, and that any mechanic who has a whit of experience should know that.