Just received my DUI distributor after waiting a couple of months. Just wondering if anyone has been running one of these . Its is scribed 28 deg at 3000 on the base.
My current set-up is advanced so far that the vacuum advance is very close to the fire wall. I would like to re-stab this new DUI so I can get it away from the firewall.


Since I haven't installed a complete distributor since my 78 montecarlo, I have a question.
Would I just bring #1 piston up to the top and re-stab the distributor keeping the rotor facing #1 while positioning the advance can where I would like.
Also is this where the timing must be set with this unit ( 28deg @ 3000) ?

Thanks
Eric

 

Yes.
I interpret that to mean the mechanical advance is set to give 28º @ 3000 RPM. This would mean you need to determine how much total advance you want to run and subtract 28 from that to give your initial setting.

Total - mechanical = initial

Example:
If you want 36º total, 36-28 = 8 initial

 

Thanks Kenneth, your help is always much appreciated.
I hope to install it this weekend and report back with how it runs.

Eric

 

Installed the DUI distributer this weekend past, If anyone is thinking about purchasing one of these I have to say this unit is awesome period. I find it fires up much better then the stock one. I previously had the accel coil, accel module, msd cap and rotor (brass terminals ) along with 8mm taylor spiro plugs with bosh plugs.
I find that my acceleration from a dead stop is better as well. I set the timing the old fashion way by advancing until I get a ping them back it off.
I hope to hear from others who have purchased one of these and to how they set them up.

Thanks
Eric

 

Just a warning.............you can't always hear detonation. Put a timing light on it and find out where you really are.

 

I could be wrong but I don't think a timing light will help me much. The timing marks on the balancer are not even close to where the car wants to run properly. Even with the original set -up I had to go past the timing marks.

 

I had bought an MSD timing tape for the balancer but the degrees weren't correct for the Olds. MDchanic sent me a PDF file with the correct markings and I transferred them to a blank area of the tape. Worked like a charm until it fell off a year later.
Trip is right, you really need to know where you're at, timing-wise. You could always buy a dial-back timing light.

 

Eric, do you have or have access to an adjustable timing light?

 

Mac I recall reading that in your engine build thread, I didn't feel the need to go any further but now you guys got me thinkin I had better.
Eric(oldcutlass) I have a very old equsis timing light, haven't used the thing in years, in fact the spring that's used to go onto the #1 plug is so rustly along with the cable ends, I would have to clean it up. Also the light blinked very slowly the last time I used it.
I don't know much about a dial back/adjustable light but I would like to get your input on how to use one.
At that point I will go out and buy a good one if you feel as thou this will help.
Thanks for your input and advice
Eric H

 

Eric,....I just had a look at the Innova 3555 Advance timing light on the web not a bad price $77.00 CDN , Just wondering if I would need the tape that Mac suggested. I do know my current setting (unknown degrees) is well past all the timing marks on my original balancer.
I'll wait to purchase this because I'd really like your advice.
Eric H

 

No dude. Tape OR adjustable timing light. You don't need both. When I had the tape, I would use my regular timing light. Basically, when you shine the strobe on the balancer, you see a stationary timing mark, right? But with the advance that we run, that mark is wayyy past the little timing tab. The tape is just an extension of that tab so I could see exactly where I was. I think it was 36*, IIRC.
With an adjustable light, and I'm guessing here since I've never used one, I think you turn the dial on the light until the timing mark reaches zero on the timing tab. And then the dial tells you the advance. Maybe?

 

Mac is right, its either or. With a dial back timing light you simply set your timing light to the amount of advance your looking for and use the 0 indicator on the block for reference.

 

Thanks for the help as always, I will be on vacation until Sept 8 so the car will be sitting until we get back. I have ordered the timing light and will have a go at it after our holidays. I will also try to educate myself with Detonation, since I know nothing about it. Geez I have generally set my timing the old fashion way when I couldn't get it with my old timing light.

Thanks
Eric H

 

I....I.....I don't understand this sentence.

 

Va-ca-tion...

 

EYE...EYE......EYE got it.

 

Va-ca-tion with-out the Olds? Lol, just ribbin' ya Eric

 

Ah I hear ya Mac, We need a humours guy such as yourself here.
Put-er-ther,
I really appreciate the help man! As soon as I get back from vacation I'm going to try and set the timing with the new dial back light. I don't really have a clue how to use it but I'll give er' a shot and let ya'll know how I made out.
Cheers
Eric H

 

Have a safe, relaxing, FUN vacation my friend.

 

Thanks Mac, Working in a Tool and Die shop all my life, my hearing isn't so good these days so detonation is something I may have a hard time with when setting the timing.
I'm sure the wife will go off on me quite often during our holidays, I'm hoping this will give me a better feel for " DETONATION". I'll report back once I set er' all up and get on er' and hopefully I get the " Detonation" out.
Put-er-ther !