When I rebuilt my motor I put the new timing set at hole 3 for more low end power. Reading Blue's tips I've found that will increase the timing 8 degrees with a new chain. I've also read that a good setting with the E12-80 distibutor is 12 -14 BTDC. So for an initial setting I should see the pulley mark line up with 5 on the timing scale for a total of 13 degrees BTDC? I've overloaded my thinking to the point of confusion.

Thanks for any help,

Cliff

Cliff,

You --are getting confused valve timing has been advance , not ignition. Two separate issues . Set your ignition to at least 14 static

As madkaw says, two different timing scenarios, one cam, one ignition.

On the ignition. if you want to get precise or match what you had before, compare the total mechanical advance of the distributors. There should be a number stamped on the weights under the breaker plate. Twice that number is total mechanical advance of the distributor.

If you don't want to take the ZX unit apart, you can set the timing to zero at idle, disconnect the vacuum advance, and measure timing while increasing RPM until the mark stops moving. That would be total for the ZX distributor.

I have 22 degrees total in my distributor, and I'm set at 12 initial, for 34 total at WOT, for example.

Zed,

not trying to get picky, but you said you had 22 total in your dizzy(last line). This confuses some people. You have 22 degrees total of mechanical advance+ 12 degrees static timing=34

As madkaw says, two different timing scenarios, one cam, one ignition.

On the ignition. if you want to get precise or match what you had before, compare the total mechanical advance of the distributors. There should be a number stamped on the weights under the breaker plate. Twice that number is total mechanical advance of the distributor.

If you don't want to take the ZX unit apart, you can set the timing to zero at idle, disconnect the vacuum advance, and measure timing while increasing RPM until the mark stops moving. That would be total for the ZX distributor.

I have 22 degrees total in my distributor, and I'm set at 12 initial, for 34 total at WOT, for example.

Yes. I guess I didn't differentiate between distributor and crankshaft.

I get 22 degrees of timing advance beyond the 12 degrees static/initial by the timing light, after ~2500 RPM (a guess from the FSM specs). I have a 78 distributor, but it has 11 degree distributor weights (the FSM says it should have 8.5), or 22 degrees at the crankshaft.

Sorry, probably not helping the thinking overload.

Edited April 30, 201410 yr by Zed Head

"Oh, I see!" said the blind man.

I ended up getting the vacuum gauge out and left the timing light on my bench. Turned it until it got the quietest and was pulling the highest vacuum, then backed up a smidge. Hooked up the light and it was on the V before 20. So I'm guessing that's about 17.5. Called my other cars mechanic and he said he had one of those good timing lights and if I brought him lunch Friday, he'd do the total advance thing y'all speak of.

Thanks very much for helping me understand.