What's a good rule of thumb for ignition timing/ad

[Gary Wilkerson]

I understood from prior posting a SB typically wants to see somewhere between 38-40 deg total advance after about 2500.
But, what's the rule of thumb if any, for how quickly the advance is applied? E.g weight of the dist springs or weights themselves?

Gary

[Joe C.]

Re: What's a good rule of thumb for ignition timin

Gary:

Centrifugal advance should be a full 24 degrees @ 2350RPM. It should start at 800RPM. Make sure that you have the small nylon bushing installed on the advance limiter pin, as without it, your total centrifugal will be a few degrees too much. Use the light springs in the spring kit. Verify all of this with a timing light.

Joe

[Joe C.]

More

I should have added, that these are the specs for your L76/L84. These settings might be too aggressive for an engine with a milder camshaft, i.e. L75, L79. Set your initial timing to 10 - 12 degrees. If it will take more without detonation, then dial in more.

Joe

[Gary Wilkerson]

Re: What's a good rule of thumb for ignition timin

Thanks Joe I appreciate it!!

Gary

[Roy B.]

Re: What's a good rule of thumb for ignition timin

I run the engine up to around 3000, advance and retard the timing till the engine runs smooth , I then quickly snap the Carb wide open (less then a second) and if I get any studder from the Carb I advance or retard the Dist till it gets smooth . If I get any pinging while driving I retard the Dist a little bit at a time till it no longer will and that's that. Works for me for over 45 years .Had no money for a timing light when I was a kid and never trusted the balancer ( they some times do slip).