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Can we talk about Small Block ignition timing?

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Gary Lewis

Re: Can we talk about Small Block ignition timing?

Administrator

You didn't hurt anything oiling it. It is supposed to move easily and smoothly.

But you should be able to get the idle speed down to 600 - 650 RPM easily - after adjusting the idle air/fuel mix. But there may be some back and forth - adjust the mix, then the idle speed, then check the mix. The reason it may vary is that you might have the throttle opened into the transfer ports and that will change the mix.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

Rembrant

Re: Can we talk about Small Block ignition timing?

Gary Lewis wrote

You didn't hurt anything oiling it. It is supposed to move easily and smoothly.

But you should be able to get the idle speed down to 600 - 650 RPM easily - after adjusting the idle air/fuel mix. But there may be some back and forth - adjust the mix, then the idle speed, then check the mix. The reason it may vary is that you might have the throttle opened into the transfer ports and that will change the mix.

Ok, I'll get to work on this...likely through the week. I just checked and my idle mix screws are 3/4 turn out.
According to my handy dandy Holley book they should end up somewhere between 1/2 and 1 1/2 turns out.

Oh, and my new AFR gauge should be here in a couple days as well, so I should be able to get the old thing dialed in pretty good.

So what do you normally do with the air cleaner being in the way? Make an adjustment, then stick the air cleaner back on, and repeat? Don't know if I can reach the idle mix screws with the air cleaner in place and I surely can't reach the idle stop screw...

1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

85lebaront2

Re: Can we talk about Small Block ignition timing?

Administrator

If you look at the maintenance information you are supposed to oil the felt when doing a tune up.

Bill AKA "LOBO" Profile

"Getting old is inevitable, growing up is optional" Darth Vader 1986 F350 460 converted to MAF/SEFI, E4OD 12X3 1/2 rear brakes, traction loc 3:55 gear, 160 amp 3G alternator Wife's 2011 Flex Limited Daily Driver 2009 Flex Limited with factory tow package Project car 1986 Chrysler LeBaron convertible 2.2L Turbo II, modified A413

Rembrant

Re: Can we talk about Small Block ignition timing?

85lebaront2 wrote

If you look at the maintenance information you are supposed to oil the felt when doing a tune up.

Oh yes I knew it was supposed to be oiled, I was just wondering if I uncovered a problem as it might have been sticking before.

Rembrant

Re: Can we talk about Small Block ignition timing?

In reply to this post by ArdWrknTrk

ArdWrknTrk wrote

So NEW is not necessarily GOOD.

Nor is new always correct!

I was cleaning up my work bench, and as I often do I was putting my old spark plugs in the boxes the new ones came in (I usually save them for a while, just in case) and I noticed one of the boxes was an Autolite 103 (I purchased 104's). The 103 is visually identical to the 104, but it's one heat range cooler (3, instead of 4).

Anyway, I pulled it back out of the engine and will return it tomorrow on the way home from work. May not have made much difference, but I certainly wasn't leaving it like that.

Gary Lewis

Re: Can we talk about Small Block ignition timing?

Administrator

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

Just talked to Scott re the distributor pages. They are on his new site, but the reason they don't show in the menu is that they are in the for-pay/member's section. However, he sometimes posts links to them on other forums to save himself from having to type in all that stuff to answer a question, so he's happy for us to have the links as well.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

ArdWrknTrk

Re: Can we talk about Small Block ignition timing?

Administrator

I'm a paid member, and I didn't see them.
But if he does have them behind the paywall, then it wouldn't be fair to have them up here.

For whatever reason, they still exist at RHP, and anyone can see them.
My links aren't to the waybac machine

Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.

Gary Lewis

Re: Can we talk about Small Block ignition timing?

Administrator

Your links are probably from some place he's posted them on another forum. He was happy for us to have the links. No problemo.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Rembrant

Re: Can we talk about Small Block ignition timing?

Those distributor pages (both 1 & 2) have always been available via Google search haven't they?. I've been on them several times over the past few years.

I believe Ron sent his distributor to them for his 351w and has been happy with it.

I may send them might once the snow/salt hits and my truck is off the road.

Gary Lewis

Re: Can we talk about Small Block ignition timing?

Administrator

I don't know how long they've been available, but they are available via this Google search. Scotty may not know that Google will eventually find things even if you don't show them in the menu, and you have to take special precautions to ensure they aren't found.

Anyway, I think sending a dizzy to him would be well worth the cost.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile