Buick 455 big block could you teach me how to tune my car like a champ

Discussion in 'Street/strip 400/430/455' started by Threeft, Dec 14, 2016.

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  1. 70staged

    70staged Well-Known Member

    I was out that way last week for work. I figured someone from the Buick world could come over and help and teach you what you should be looking for and how to set up everything. (As far as age, I'm only 31)

    We do have a few members in your area by the way.
     
    70staged, Dec 15, 2016
    #21
  2. Threeft

    Threeft Well-Known Member

    Thats great to hear it would be super cool to actually meet someone in person on here. Im lacking people to hang out with since getting back from the army.

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    Threeft, Dec 15, 2016
    #22
  3. dr

    dr Well-Known Member

    Good post!!! Get the manuals
     
    dr, Dec 16, 2016
    #23
  4. Threeft

    Threeft Well-Known Member

    I just bought the 1972 chassis all manual today, cant wait to read through.

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    Threeft, Dec 16, 2016
    #24
  5. Threeft

    Threeft Well-Known Member

    Mannnnnn soooo much more power after timing the buick today. Took it down from 12/1 to about 9.5/1 do you guys suggest any spark plugs, wires, cap and rotar?

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    Threeft, Dec 17, 2016
    #25
  6. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    Usually retarding the timing has the opposite effect
     
    CJay, Dec 17, 2016
    #26
  7. Threeft

    Threeft Well-Known Member

    Would advancing the timing by 1 instead of by 4 possibly give better reaction?

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    Threeft, Dec 17, 2016
    #27
  8. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    With the hose going to the distributor disconnected and plugged off, and the car at the correct idle speed, shine you timing light at the timing tab on the timing case cover. The mark on the balancer should be around 10 degrees on the timing tab. You can try advancing it a little more to 12 degrees but your engine may knock under acceleration in which case your going to have to knock the timing back until the knocking goes away. Knocking or detonation sounds like you have marbles in the engine. Its similar to the noise a diesel engine makes.

    Im not going to confuse you and get into mechanical advance, vacuum advance or total advance.

    When you refer to base timing adjustments, its usually said as "10 degrees initial" or however many degress you set it to, not 12/1 or 9.5/1. That usually refers to compression ratio which has nothing to do with setting timing
     
    CJay, Dec 17, 2016
    #28
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  9. Threeft

    Threeft Well-Known Member

    Is the timing still supposed to be 10 with my later model 455, I keep reading 8 everywhere that I look. Not saying you dont know, just want to make sure we arent missing anything. I keep reading 1970-72 is 10 degrees and 1972-75 8.5 degrees

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    Threeft, Dec 17, 2016
    #29
  10. Threeft

    Threeft Well-Known Member

    Wanted to get a tune up sparkplugs wires exc and will be timing again after

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    Threeft, Dec 17, 2016
    #30
  11. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    We are tuning for performance not fuel economy. 10 degrees is a good baseline in my opinion. Again, you'll have to drive the car and see if you experience any detonation. If so, you will have to retard the timing a couple degrees. Your timing is going to be limited to the quality of fuel you run. Its trial and error.
     
    CJay, Dec 17, 2016
    #31
  12. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    Let us know how you make out
     
    CJay, Dec 17, 2016
    #32
  13. Threeft

    Threeft Well-Known Member

    Any suggestions?

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    Threeft, Dec 17, 2016
    #33
  14. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    Plenty of good suggestions on this thread. Read Larry's timing thread. You may need to re-read it a few times before it all sinks in. And refer to your service manual as you read it.
     
    CJay, Dec 17, 2016
    #34
  15. Threeft

    Threeft Well-Known Member

    You know me well thanks

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    Threeft, Dec 17, 2016
    #35
  16. 69GS400s

    69GS400s ...my own amusement ride!

    If / when you do experience detonation / pinging - DO NOT CONTINUE TO HAMMER ON IT. back off the timing a bit ..

    .. excessive detonation / pinging can cause physical damage to your motor. Its not uncommon where every few years I'll get a ****ty tank of gas and have to be gentle while burning half the tank until I can mix in some better stuff.

    does your car still have points in the distributor ? do you know what the dwell is set to ?

    setting the timing / adjusting the RPM is a dance you do .. one affects the other. You're always playing back and forth during a tune ..
     
    69GS400s, Dec 17, 2016
    #36
  17. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    IIRC, the 75/76 455's were 12 deg. initial
     
    Mark Demko, Dec 18, 2016
    #37
  18. LARRY70GS

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

    LARRY70GS, Dec 18, 2016
    #38
  19. LARRY70GS

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




    IF the engine has the same 75-76 distributor it left the factory with.:grin:
     
    LARRY70GS, Dec 18, 2016
    #39
  20. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    True:pp
     
    Mark Demko, Dec 18, 2016
    #40
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