Power Timing your Buick V8

Discussion in 'Buick FAQ' started by LARRY70GS, Jan 2, 2005.

  1. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    OK, I posted most of the pictures on page 20, post #389. Let me attach them here again,

    Crane plate 1.jpg Crane plate 2.jpg Crane plate 3.jpg Crane plate 4.jpg Crane plate 5.jpg Crane plate 6.jpg Crane plate 7.jpg Crane plate 8.jpg Crane plate 9.jpg Crane plate 10.jpg ch them here again,
     
  2. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    The rest,
    Crane plate 11.jpg Crane plate 12.jpg Crane plate 13.jpg Crane plate 14.jpg
     
  3. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    And here are the instructions,
    CraneVAInst.jpg
     
    Dadrider likes this.
  4. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    This is the Crane limiter plate the way the Crane instructions tell you to install it.

    HEICraneVALtd.JPG
    The problem with this is that when you turn the adjuster, it pushes the link into the canister. That limits how much advance is LEFT in the canister, but it advances the base timing 2*/tooth, AND preloads the canister spring. Mounting the cam like Dave suggests limits the VA degrees without moving your base timing or affecting canister spring tension. Takes a little more work though.
     
  5. MrSony

    MrSony Well-Known Member

    This part:
    HEICraneVALtd.JPG

    But I guess looking at it now... that tab needs to go OVER the plate, mine ig is bent from when I put the crane vacuum advance unit in. I now know what I gotta do. Thanks :D
     
  6. MrSony

    MrSony Well-Known Member

    Was there a specific measurement on where the hole needs to be at on the VA unit? Or just kinda eyeball it? Or push the plate up to where it contacts the pin as said, and wherever the bolt hole in the plate is, that's where the screw hole will be... yes?
     
  7. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    :D I post all those pictures AND corresponding instructions and no one reads them.:D

    Picture #6 and #6 in the instructions.
     
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  8. MrSony

    MrSony Well-Known Member

    Ah, I see it now. Was on a phone. :D
     
  9. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    The pictures go along with the numbered instructions. 1st picture, #1 in the instructions, etc. Everything you need is there.
     
  10. Bill Nuttle

    Bill Nuttle Well-Known Member

    Ok here’s something I don’t think I’ve read yet.

    I have a 69 430 from an Electra, bone stock, in my 65 Skylark. Distributor is a 1111335 (correct for a 69 Electra) and does not have a bushing in it for the centrifugal advance. It does have a Pretronix Ignitor II in it. Do I need to install the bushing from my Mr Gasket kit? And run more initial?

    I put in the lightest springs from both the crane kit and the mr gasket kit. With different results (38* with the Mr Gasket light springs). With the crane springs I’m getting 30* at about 2500. If I push it to 3200 in getting 32*. Everything I’ve read says I should be maxed out way before that with the light springs. And what’s up with the different amounts of advance?

    Yes vacuum advance unhooked and plugged and I’m using a craftsman dial back timing light. And initial set at stock 0*
     
  11. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Yes, the yellow crane springs should be the lightest. I don’t have an explanation for the different advances unless the weights are binding.
     
  12. Bill Nuttle

    Bill Nuttle Well-Known Member

    Well I’ll give it a try see who she runs. Could use a little more low end grunt. Then work on the vacuum advance.

    Thanks Larry
     
  13. BQUICK

    BQUICK Gold Level Contributor

    You need the bushing for a positive stop otherwise the weights will rock and give up to 4 more degrees just when you don't want or need it.
    I had one like that. I thought all was in at 2500 but at 4500 another 4 deg came in. Saw on a distributor machine (remember those?) but never revved it high enough in the car to see it.

    Could be just enough extra advance to hurt a motor......
     
  14. 1965GSDOUG

    1965GSDOUG Doug Dougherty

    Bruce,
    On a different subject can you PM me, I have a question for you.
    Thanks,
    Doug
     
  15. Buick bozo

    Buick bozo Member

    Does all of this valuable information hold true if using a Pertronix module?
     
    johnriv67 likes this.
  16. RoseBud68

    RoseBud68 Well-Known Member

    Yes. You still have mechanical advance timing.
     
  17. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    As above, the Petronix has nothing to do with it.
     
  18. Mike Jones

    Mike Jones Platinum Level Contributor

    So I contacted MSD for an advance kit with springs and bushings for a 70 distributor. The distributor has a Lectra Limited breakerless ignition. They said that they don't carry anything that will work stating that the springs they have won't fit.
    Ditto for Crane.
    Spectre has a kit but I was told the bushings may be sloppy when installed.
    Throwing my points ignition back in till I can figure out where to get a good kit.
    The current springs, and the only ones I have, are allowing my MA to start right at curb idle around 750 RPM.
     
  19. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    There are no weight bushings in a points distributor. That is what you have, the Lectra Ltd points conversion has nothing to do with it. GM Big cap distributors have weight bushings. If you are talking about the advance stop bushing, the only one I know of comes in the Mr Gasket kit.

    https://www.jegs.com/i/Mr.+Gasket/7...MI9ueghNWL5gIVi4CfCh3rUgG1EAQYBCABEgInh_D_BwE

    The other kit is the Crane adjustable vacuum advance kit. It comes with the adjustable canister and 3 sets of springs.

    https://www.summitracing.com/parts/crn-99601-1/overview/

    MSD distributors parts do not fit Delco points distributors.
     
  20. Mike Jones

    Mike Jones Platinum Level Contributor

    Thanks Larry.
     

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