timing for 280ZX distributor upgrade

[Patcon]

I know several members have done the 280ZX distributor upgrade to get rid of the points style ignition. I have been looking in several of my manuals and trying to figure out where to set the timing. I was leaning toward 10d before TDC without the vacuum advance hooked up. What are some of you running? How do you know if the vacuum advance is going to add too much timing?

Thanks, Charles

[240260280z]

For a 77 280z with L28 10° is stock setting. What is your ride and motor details?

This may help with swap: http://atlanticz.ca/zclub/techtips/distributor/index.html

I also recommend a rebuild/refresh: http://atlanticz.ca/zclub/techtips/distributorrebuild/index.html

[Patcon]

I have a 70 240 with a 71 240 motor that I rebuilt 20 years ago. It has very few miles on it. I couldn't get it running recently after sitting for a number of years. Worked on coil finally figured the problem was in the distributor. Went to the junk yard and pulled a coil and distributor from a 1982 280ZX. I installed using a number of resources, some of the info you posted Blue. As well as some other forums, even a 510 forum. Was a very easy swap; set the timing close, fired right up. Now I need to figure out where the correct timing is from some of the other people that have done this swap. I was think 10d, with no vacuum advance, but wasn't sure.

Thanks, Charles

[Walter Moore]

10 BTDC at your normal idle speed, which is generally 600-700 RPM. Most people do disconnect the vacuum advance (VA) permanently which may be the easy way out if you don't have a lot of time and tools to predict how the VA will react.

If you have a used S130 Distributor the odds are 50/50 that the VA doesn't work anyway. To test the VA you need a vacuum source, and a dial-back timing light. You get the engine idling well below the point where the centrifugal advance curve starts, then apply full vacuum to the VA and use the timing light to measure the advance that is produced. The later ZX distributors have a HUGE amount of vacuum advance, and to make it worse the only breaker plate that is available from Nissan is for the late distributors. My personal position has changed over time. If you aren't sure how much VA the unit you have produces, you should consider leaving the VA disconnected.

[Patcon]

Thanks, Walter

That was the answer I needed. I knew some people didn't use the vacuum advance

Thanks, Charles