Tech Editor's Desk Projects, papers, writings, thoughts, musings of our technical editor Joe Padavano. To begin with, he will be making threads and can approve posts to it if he wishes. This can be changed in the future if it does not work out well.

Distributor vacuum

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old March 29th, 2015, 03:56 PM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
truckerlary's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Central In.
Posts: 146
Distributor vacuum

When hooking up the vacuum advance on an 83 H/O distributor what port do I use on the carb. Ported or full vacuum
truckerlary is offline  
Old March 29th, 2015, 05:00 PM
  #2  
Administrator
 
oldcutlass's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Poteau, Ok
Posts: 40,522
This has been a long discussed question and there really is no right answer. Try both and see which the engine likes better, going to manifold vacuum will require you to lower your curb idle setting once it's hooked to vacuum.
oldcutlass is online now  
Old March 30th, 2015, 07:43 AM
  #3  
Old(s) Fart
 
joe_padavano's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 47,259
Originally Posted by truckerlary
When hooking up the vacuum advance on an 83 H/O distributor what port do I use on the carb. Ported or full vacuum
The original distributor in a 1983 H/O doesn't have a vacuum advance can. The CCC computer controls advance based on the MAP sensor and the TPS. I assume you have replaced the distributor? In that case, you'll need to experiment to find which source the car runs best on, manifold or ported.
joe_padavano is offline  
Old March 30th, 2015, 09:27 AM
  #4  
Registered User
 
Octania's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 7,286
My high compression 403 had an aggressive cam and GREATLY preferred manifold vacuum.

Ported vacuum- retarded timing - low intake vacuum - can't idle, stumbles, stalls. Overheated while driving, overheated while idling.

I suspect the vacuum was so low the power piston was allowing the needles up and richening the mixture. It would idle at 1000, anything lower stumble and stall.

Changed to full vacuum to the distributor- major increase in manifold vacuum number, idles fine, starts easily [that advance is not there until AFTER the engine starts]. NO overheating even with the '85's stock old 307 radiator.

Your call. Whatever your engine likes.
has your engine been changed in any way from factory stock?
Octania is offline  
Old March 30th, 2015, 04:49 PM
  #5  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
truckerlary's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Central In.
Posts: 146
To the best of my knowledge All that has been done is removal of all the computer controlled equipment. Items changed are the dist. to a vacuum advance GM hei model and a different quadrajet carb, not sure what it is supposed to fit and a performer Edelbrock manifold. Can't see much difference which ever way I hook up the vacuum
truckerlary is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
chris83
Parts Wanted
9
August 18th, 2012 01:47 PM
dallasite21
Parts Wanted
2
January 3rd, 2010 07:15 AM
ctrain22
Big Blocks
7
September 8th, 2009 04:05 PM
Flye
Big Blocks
1
April 19th, 2009 06:33 AM
New'n72
Big Blocks
14
March 6th, 2008 03:13 PM



Quick Reply: Distributor vacuum



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 02:59 PM.