Hello all,
I recently converted the 350 engine in my '73 Delta 88 to a Pertronix electronic ignition. I need to set the timing and my repair manual says to see a sticker in the engine compartment, but the owner before me had removed all stickers in a repaint effort. Does anyone know what the proper timing setting is for my car? Also, I want to put a new set of spark plugs in, but I don't know what the gap should be set at?

Thank you all in advance,
Chris

 

I believe it is 17 or 18 degrees below top dead center @1100

gap for a 307 is.060
I would think they are the same.

I'd go with that on ACDelcos
If you're using Champions id go .040

 

Use of Pertronix trigger, in place of points, doesn't change the settings.

Plugs = AC R45S gapped at .035"

Timing = 12° BTDC.

Norm

 

Wow, slight difference between a 1980 350 and a 1973 350.

Thanks Norm.

 

Oh for sure! In '69 the gap was .030 and the advance was only about 8 btdc. Just shows that the engines will run well with varying settings depending upon the distributor and the junk loaded on top of the manifold for smog regs.

 

Thank you all for your help! I will try out the plugs gapped at .035 and the timing at 12 degrees BTDC tonight. This is all very new to me, and I am bumping my way around this car. Thanks again.
Chris

 

So do you have to compensate if you rip all of that crap out?

 

No reason to.

That "junk/crap/etc" has nothing to do with the spark advance/plug gap, or the power output of that engine.

Might be an oversimplification, but, advance requirements are determined by cylinder pressures (compression ratios) and the plug gaps, by fuel mixtures.

Norm

 

Thanks again Norm.
I appreciate your straight answering style on here.

 

point ign .032

HEI ign .045

When I when from points to HEI, I regapped all the plugs from .030 to .045

 

Nothing to do with the distributor.

Increase in gap was because of the change to lean mixtures that were used to meet emissions standards.

On a pre '74 factory engine, .032" or .045" will work fine. '74 and later will need .045" to run satisfactorily.

Norm

 

What RPM do I set the timing at? 1100?

 

^^ Yes

 

Do I need to plug any vacuum lines? I recently had a MSD coil and distributor put in and I thought I heard somewhere that you have to plug some vacuum lines when setting the timing. If I do, which lines do I plug?

Thanks

 

Remove and plug the hose from the vacuum advance canister.
Set the advance.
Unplug and return the hose to the can.

Norm