Sorry I'm a bit rusty at this, can anybody explain, or point me to a thread, that describes in great detail how to set total timing? My timing tab only goes to 12 or 14 degrees, and I have the regular timing light, with no ***** on it.....
My engine is a 350, nothing special.

Thanks!

 

What distributor are you using? If stock engine with points just use the stock settings.
For total timing read this
Timing101_1 (camaros.org)

 

What I did was make timing marks on the balancer using a paint pen. Rotate the engine so the balancer scribe is at the zero mark on the timing tab, and scribe a mark on the balancer at the 10* tab mark. Now rotate the engine so the new balancer 10* scribe aligns with the timing tab zero mark. Scribe another line on the balancer (this is 20*). Keep doing this until you have enough new scribe lines. I think I went to 40*. Then you can use a regular timing light with these 10* increment scribe lines and the balancer marks to get 1* to 2* resolution.

 

Very simple and good instructions !!!!! The only thing I would add is clean the harmonic balancer with Scotch-brite and alcohol to remove oils so your paint will stick. Masking tape to make straight, sharp lines.

 

oh I forgot the distributor LOL. It is a MSD Pro Billet

 

Okay guys, that sounds simple enough. The other question I'm going to have is what RPM do I have the engine at when I am setting the total timing?

 

Set total timing at 3000 rpm. Best if you had a dial back timing light

 

I'm assuming your using the 8529 unit if its the ready to run unit. Did you read the instructions? What springs and stop bushing are you using?
8529.pdf (holley.com)

 

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Yes, it is a ready to run 8529 distributor.
engine shop I bought it from told me to put in one lightweight spring and one medium weight spring. That is all I have done to it....

 

Well make some timing marks, or use a dial back light, run it to 3000 or 4000 RPM and document the advance.

 

It's funny they call it ready to run... If the blue stop bushing is still in place (21* mechanical advance) with I'm assuming 1 silver and 1 blue spring (figure E) then your advance will stop at 21* at 2400 rpm. Using 36* total timing rule of thumb, your initial idle timing (at around 700 rpm) needs to be set to 15*. The timing tab only goes to 12*/13* at the very end, so your timing indicator will end up being around 1/8 - 3/16ish inch past the end of the tab. Or you can invest in a dial back timing gun or mark the balancer as stated previously. The MSD mechanicals are pretty accurate to the charts in the directions.
All the above is done with the vacuum advance disconnected and plugged. Once you get you timing sorted then fiddle with the vacuum advance rate and limit.

 

All good info, also, if you are able to easily measure the circumference of the harmonic balancer, divide that number by ten to get the distance for a 36 degree mark.

 

Eric, great read, thanks for sharing...…...