Help with Cali emissions on 72 350 4, im VERY new aka bought car today!!!

Going to pick this one up tomorrow night. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00921023000P?mv=rr

Since my younger brother is giving me a hand with the resto i let him pick what we should do next, since prepping for paint might be difficult since i need to wrap everything up for a camping trip this weekend. So he decided we should through on the rear air shocks. Meanwhile im trying to learn everything about timing i possibly can. So correct me on the process if im wrong:

Initial timing:

With car off and keys out,
-Find and mark the correct timing with chalk
-connect the leads to the battery
-connect the other lead to the cylinder 1 spark wire
-Turn the engine on, and let idle
-point gun at mark and look,
If no good,
-loosen distributer and turn, then test again till good.

So first question, what should the timing on the 350 be? how do i set the motor to tdc? then i rotate by hand to the timing? where are the timing marks.

I'll move on to the other timings after i get the initial down.

By the way larry, i came across your timing post copied on another forum, but they did acknolage that you posted it, i think.

 

where would be the best place to get that kit. the timing was def off. after i got the airshocks on i tried tweeking a little without the light and it runs atleast 2X better. im convinced all the ngine needs is a propertune up and to be cleaned/repainted!

 

Use a crane adjustable vacuum advance kit it comes with mechanical sprigs as well.

 

ACCEL # 31034 Is a Adjustable vacuum advance canister. I just installed one from Summit on my car about 30 minutes ago. Works great.:TU:

 

My local speed shop still had the crane one in stock, picked it up there. Check any local performance shops.

 

I see the accel one on amazon, but im going to have to look around since im on a camping trip right now.

Picked up the dialback, can't wait to get working on that engine. Took it for a spin around the block just for some fun before i left [before i got the light]. Also realized it needs some new bodymounts.

Currently runs ok, but under quick hard throttle it seems to misfire and drop power. Im guessing the timing isn't advancing properly. pulled the distributer cap off and everything looked new, but then vacuum advance canister looks very old.

I just want to get the engine normal now before i go off and do anything else.

 

So on to tunning the engine. I finnaly got around to a tune up, new plugs, wires, distributer cap, and rotor.

I also threw on the accel adjustable vac.

From there i set the initial timing to about 4-5' before tdc. I measured the mechanical advance to be 10'. and the vac advance to be about another 10'. Both ontop of the 4 so looking at 24' total.

what should i be aiming for? should i just go by the other timing thread, i believe it was going for a total of 32'.

It also still runs a little ruff at idle...what should i check? I was thinking of pulling the carb and cleaning it like crazy.

 

I agree with Larry about your mechanical advance, if you can find some lighter springs for the mechanical then you will see all your timing come in earlier and you may never see all your mechanical with the stock springs. The vac. advance does not count for the total timing, I run 16 degrees initial, 32 total, and 42 with the vac. advance. When you punch it hard the vac. advance will go away and leave 32 total, but under light throttle cruise 42 degrees works well my 350s.

 

Finally registered the car and got some miles under my belt. Also finally read the timing thread.

I installed the vac advance with stock springs. it runs great cruising around. But when i floor it, it spudders/ missfires. not exactly sure. but im going to atribute it to the lack of centrifugal advance. Like you two suggested i ordered a spring kit.

amy next thing to tackle is the steering squeels like a pig. The belt near the power stearing is loose. Is that what would cause the squeel?