Initial timming and vacuum

[Tom's36coupe]

Used the heater hose trick, thanks Flatjack9, got my carbs very close for sound. My vacuum reading at idle at about 700 is 15 to 16 and my initial timing is about 7. I tried setting the timing ahead and back some, the motor seemed real lazy lower than 7, my distributor is a Mallory electronic so it does not have vacuum advance. Car seems to run ok, what about timing number is that close for a motor with 3/4 race camshaft. Many questions, sorry!

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

Stock would be 4, 7 isn't out of the ballpark, but what you need to examine is the whole package of the timing curve. If "lazy" below 7, the extra initial advance may be compensationg for inadequate centrifugal advance. And be aware that the initial adds into the centrifugal, and your total advance becomes 3 degrees more...
But what is needed is to see actual advance. If your pulley isn't degreed, I can post an easy way to make accurate temporary marks...then study advance between idle and about 2,000--2,200 and report back. Many Mallorys need a LOT of adjusting to the curve, and some have shown curves that are severely late and slow in comparison to engine needs. When bumping initial does good stuff, that oft means that nothing is advancing in the critical off-idle--2,000 period when advance needs to come in fast.

 

[Tom's36coupe]

My friends at Bubbas did my distributor recurve, it was way off. Jim got it working great, just wondering how far to set the initial. My engine likes lots of advance early on for best response and Jim has it that way. I have listened for pinging in third gear when hitting the gas and its hard to hear.