Anyone have any timing secrets on a 69 gs 400 with a edelbrock 650.... i did add a edelbrock 650 but am not sure what else the previous owner has done. the car is in mint condition inside and out..... i just need the timing set.... i will sometimes set the time and it will start and idle very well but as soon as i drive it for 10 minutes or so....the car does not want to restart...so i carry a wrench and loosen the distributor and move it until it kicks over again..... one last question if possible....is the air relay to the distributor supposed to face the fan-belt....it is less then one inch away from the fan....seems that it would face to the side or back....any ideas???? thanks for the info..... take care....
First, what kind of intake is it installed on? Second, factory timing is low at idle, usually around zero for your generation. The car would benefit from 12 initial or less and should still start ok. Please indicate what your timing at idle is. Also, tune with the vacuum advance disconnected and plugged at the carb. When re-installed the vacuum advance should be hooked to the ported vacuum port on the carb. This port MUST read zero vacuum at idle. The vacuum advance module does point forward towards the passenger headlights and it is close to the belts, but no worries.
back at ya... maybe i should leave it to the pros like you.... i read your email and then i read it and still have no idea what you talking about... i am a new wannabe mechanic with dreams of being good one day.... thanks for the info and maybe it will coem to good use when i figure out what the hell i'm doing... take care, wannabe mechanic
timing Timing is important. Get the spark there at the right time and it makes a big difference in the way an engine runs. I have run into some engines that the timing marks were not right from the factory. I had a 401 that was a 3/8ts in off. Find exact top dead center by putting a stop into the spark plug hole and rotating the engine each way untill it stops and then measure to the half way point. this will be the exact top dead center. mark it if it is different than the factory mark. Set the timing by disconnecting the vacume advance and then the timing light will show the basic timing. If it is off, loosen the dist hold down bolt just enough to allow the dist. to turn with some resistance. Turn the dist to get the timing set on the mark you have selected. [the old formula is 6 deg. for a 6 cyl and 8 deg for a v8.] Not the factory spec for today! Once the basic timing is where you want it, tighten the hold down bolt again and connect the vac line back to the vac advance. The timing should jump several degrees. If it doesnt check out the vac advance. That is the basic procedure.
http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=63475 Best bet is to set your total timing to 32*. Then see where the initial timing is. What you call the "air relay" is the vacuum advance cannister. The vacuum hose to it should be disconnected and plugged when checking and setting timing. The vacuum advance cannister nipple should face the passenger side corner of the car. If it faces the radiator, the distributor is not in the engine correctly, or the timing is over advanced. Do you have a timing light? If not, buy one or take it to someone who does. If you have a light, the above linked thread should help you to time the car.
He doesnt quite say exactly what its doing when he turns the key. He just says it doesnt restart . Is it cranking excessively, or doesnt turn over at all? I take it that its slow turning over and he has to retard the timing to get it to crank. Could it be a starter/ battery cable problem instead? In other words, too much draw when hot Also, please post your name so we dont have ot refer to you as "him" or "he" :grin:
