So my question to you is which advance limiter are you using, 12*, 16*, or 20*, and what total are you looking to run? The total advance is more important than the advance rate. You do not need to purchase a better light, you can simply mark your harmonic balancer. Rotate the crank until you can see the factory timing mark on the balancer. Then standing in front of the car measure CLOCKWISE 1 3/4", and make another mark on the balancer. That will be your 30* mark. Be as PRECISE as you can, this is very important. Make the line as thin as possible. Accuracy is very important. Then when you use your light, watch that 30* mark. As you rev the engine, that 30* mark will move upwards. At some point, it will stop moving upwards when the advance is all in. That 30* mark should align with a number on the timing tab scale. You should use the lightest springs you have available to set the total advance to whatever you want to run. After you have set the total, you can then put whatever springs you want in. Leave the VA disconnected and plugged. If the VA is removable, you can limit it the same way you would a stock vacuum advance. 8-12* usually works best, but every car/engine is different. You are aiming for 30-34* total WOT timing, and 40-45* timing at cruise RPM. You may also be able to use these bushings for the VA, http://v8buick.com/index.php?threads/new-product-vacuum-advance-limiter-bushings.346184/
Just wondering Darron, Does your Pertronix automotive billet dist have these floppy metal strips for limiting the advance? I had a billet plug & play marine dist and it was nothing but problems, severe corrosion. Nothing marine grade about it.
Been a busy afternoon, but since it isn't rainy today here on the Oregon Coast, I drove the Skylark today just for fun. It has cooled off by now so I can go check which advance limiters I have in the distributor right now. I'd have to check again, but I think total advance is around 34-36 degrees. Actually, I don't remember for sure, so take that with a grain of salt. would this Accel piece be a good solution for the vacuum advance issue? https://www.holley.com/products/ign...ccessories/distributor_components/parts/31034
OK, I've got the blue limiters in there now, which is 16 degrees of mechanical advance. Springs are silver and bronze, so full advance isn't coming in until 4250 rpm. I'm going to review your power timing thread again and start all over with the lightest springs, probably the 20 degree advance limiters, and aim for 34 degrees total advance. Maybe I'll just go ahead and buy the nice timing light too (I like tools).
I don't know for certain. I was thinking that since the Pertronix billet distributor is modeled after a stock points type distributor that the parts should interchange. Pertronix sells adjustable vacuum advance for their HEI distributors but I don't think that will work. I should probably call them to see if they have something available or a recommendation.
Contacted Pertronix today and they do indeed have an adjustable vacuum canister for my distributor. Thank you for the sensible advice!
my head porter finally got his porting slider for flow testing so he’s finally back to porting. He has two sets of heads he’s working on plus the third set of irons.
He will dyno test the engine NA, I’m in no rush but it will be done right. The Skylark will go back on my lift this winter to get the mid and front engine plates installed and setting up the belt driven oil pump setup on a spare engine so it will be an easy bolt in swap when the good engine gets here.
I wish kept the 350 I built in 2016. I'd like to do a Buick V8 powered Regal T-type one of these days.
Mine was earlier this year until the front pump on the trans went out, put a B&M in it but it was not right, just took delivery on a Hughes trans a few days ago. Hope to be up and running this wknd.
