Flathead timing
 

IN answer to 32gnu. This was one of my next issue with the flathead, Timing. Originally, I was one of those people that didn't give much thought to timing an engine, Just keep advancing it until it knocks and back it off some. Seemed to work until Ii went racing. When we couldn't think of what else to do to improve our engine we put it on a chassis Dyno and added 7 HP by advancing the timing. The following race day the driver said the car lost it rive off the corners. So I put the timing back to where it was. Why did it run better??
Enter Richard from FL. I build an engine for him over the phone and sent him one of my GM distributors. I was now using the adj. Vacuum advance. After getting it running, He spen several years and a ton of money developing the ignition timing we all use for the "Street flathead engine"
16/18 degs at 2000Rpm Mechanical adv
6/8 Degs Vacuum adv.
Set inital adv at 2 Deg BTC, this is not very important, just to get the engine to start.
You now have to have a AF meter. Idle AF should be12.7/13.2. If you can't get the AFD in this range, the carburation needs some work.

Take car for a drive, watch the AF and with the engine running ai cruse power timing will be 26.28 Degs and AF should be in the hi 14's

A lean mixture need more advance, A engine accelerates better at a retarded advance
Depending on camshaft and compression, you can advance the inital a few degs
Having both an adjustable vacuum and Mechanical advance, you can "Twek" it in.
Richard tried several carbs for his engine and found the Edelbrock 500 CFM to be the easiest to tune. His engine was a 276, L-100 Stock valve sna ports. When I drove it i was impressed with it power and fantastic economy
Gramps

Re: Flathead timing
 

I have a stock 47, 239ci engine that gets for lack of a better word, soot in the tail pipe. Wondering what the cure is ? Thanks, Moe

Re: Flathead timing
 

Make sure the carburetor is up to snuff. If it isn't? make it so. If it is, consider smaller main jets.

If you are not sure, send it to "Charlie ny" for a proper rebuild.

As the TV commercial says : "Sorry, Charlie", but success follows success.

Re: Flathead timing
 

Idle too rich? Late timing?

Re: Flathead timing
 

Ron ,
Good post , I followed the adventures of Ron and Richard also , did some work for Richard . Did some work for Richard wanting me to do some timing limit bushings in 1/2 degree increments . I also copied his Allen screw adjustment . I learned a lot regarding timing the flathead . I use your thoughts on every distributor I build .
Job well done !!!

Re: Flathead timing
 

With all the money it takes to build an engine, it makes sense to have it tuned right.