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Old 05-31-2016, 05:40 AM   #1
2rosella
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Default What is the correct timing Advance setting.

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Old 05-31-2016, 05:50 AM   #2
Patrick L.
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Default Re: What is the correct timing Advance setting.

Most folks feel the static timing should be TDC. Many folks then use full advance [40º] when running at highway speeds. So TDC at idle and 40º at around 1700-2000 RPM or so.

45-50 MPH is cruise speed for me and I set the lever at 1/2 for plucking around town and 2/3-3/4 for cruise. I don't feel these monsters need 40º of advance.
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Old 05-31-2016, 07:54 AM   #3
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Default Re: What is the correct timing Advance setting.

Seems like Model A's have their own "Sweet Spot" My truck likes 3 degrees retard for start and smooth low idle. Using a timing light that gives me approx. 33-35 degrees at 3/4 advance. Mine does not like 40 degree advance. Mine is org. spec. motor and it likes to cruise on the level at 42-45 mph. On a good day it will run up to 50+ but it is not happy there and is pretty maxed out. (And so am I... ! )
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Old 05-31-2016, 08:59 AM   #4
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Default Re: What is the correct timing Advance setting.

You will find that an advance of 22 to 25 degrees at idle will give you an easy start with the spark retarded, and good power at 45 to 50mph. Just make sure you have TDC marked and painted exactly on the crank pulley.
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Old 05-31-2016, 09:39 AM   #5
Jerry in Shasta
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Default Re: What is the correct timing Advance setting.

I do it a little different. I set my timing for a max of 25-28 degrees.
The engine has been "warmed" considerably.
It does not like any thing over 30 degrees. By doing it this way,
I do not run the risk of damaging the engine by over advancing.
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Old 05-31-2016, 09:44 AM   #6
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Default Re: What is the correct timing Advance setting.

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My car starts and idles nice at 0 degrees at TDC. On the highway I don't advance over about 3/4 down with the lever or 30 degrees. I have never heard it pinging but I am a little hard of hearing. Does anyone else actually hear pinging when cruising down the highway?
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Old 05-31-2016, 11:08 AM   #7
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Default Re: What is the correct timing Advance setting.

let us know how you make out
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Old 05-31-2016, 11:19 AM   #8
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Default Re: What is the correct timing Advance setting.

When I first started to heat up the engine with an HC head and dual carbs, I kept the original distributor and came to not only appreciate the flexibility of playing with the spark lever, but also learned a lot about the engine and performance by trying it in different positions. (ie, full retard going down hill.) Use it about 25-30* max, timing should be retarted as comp ratio increases.
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Old 05-31-2016, 11:58 AM   #9
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Default Re: What is the correct timing Advance setting.

Someone once mentioned they had a lock (small clamp) on the spark quadrant so the lever could only be moved down so far. That would be a good idea for many from what I read as far as too much spark advance being used.
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Old 05-31-2016, 12:19 PM   #10
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Default Re: What is the correct timing Advance setting.

I never go past Half way and if i do it's very brief. Stock or hc head
Many folks start up and yank it all the way down lol
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Old 05-31-2016, 12:33 PM   #11
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Default Re: What is the correct timing Advance setting.

My '29 with HC head likes it best with advance lever set about half while running at 45-50 mph.
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Old 05-31-2016, 12:53 PM   #12
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Default Re: What is the correct timing Advance setting.

And of course everything depends on how accurate your base timing is set .. IE lever setting etc
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Old 05-31-2016, 12:54 PM   #13
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Default Re: What is the correct timing Advance setting.

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Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg View Post
Someone once mentioned they had a lock (small clamp) on the spark quadrant so the lever could only be moved down so far. That would be a good idea for many from what I read as far as too much spark advance being used.
I've used one of these with a set screw. Works very well and removable whenever.
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Old 05-31-2016, 02:03 PM   #14
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Default Re: What is the correct timing Advance setting.

Boy, I find this very interesting. Many times in the past when I mentioned this subject I was criticized [ thats fine] by many. Then most folks seemed to have to use full advance.
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Old 05-31-2016, 02:10 PM   #15
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Default Re: What is the correct timing Advance setting.

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Boy, I find this very interesting. Many times in the past when I mentioned this subject I was criticized [ thats fine] by many. Then most folks seemed to have to use full advance.
We're allowed to talk about it,, but your not

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Old 05-31-2016, 02:25 PM   #16
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Default Re: What is the correct timing Advance setting.

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We're allowed to talk about it,, but your not



Boy, I've heard that about a lot of things for a long time !
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Old 05-31-2016, 02:43 PM   #17
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Default Re: What is the correct timing Advance setting.

let us know how you make out
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Old 05-31-2016, 02:50 PM   #18
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Default Re: What is the correct timing Advance setting.

You will never get most model a guys to under stand what timing is all about.
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Old 05-31-2016, 03:45 PM   #19
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Default Re: What is the correct timing Advance setting.

I've been following this thread so I was curious. I have the Nerex timing gauge installed. Went out to the A ,dugout the old timing light.Fullretarded it's at 10 btdc to fully Advance at 35 atdc it runs great ( I think) What are your thoughts?
Thanks
I forgot to mention it's a stock motor
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Old 05-31-2016, 03:53 PM   #20
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Default Re: What is the correct timing Advance setting.

I guess I'm a timing cheapo, I advance it from the fully retarded position about 1/3 (down) and I know from my driving which is all city I hardly ever go more than 1/2 advanced..
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Old 05-31-2016, 04:37 PM   #21
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Default Re: What is the correct timing Advance setting.

For those that have what is basically a B model engine High comp head touring cam larger valves
the B model timing will work best more advance than an A to start and idle and around the same for total advance
Too Retarded is just as bad as too advanced for any engine

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Old 05-31-2016, 06:09 PM   #22
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Default Re: What is the correct timing Advance setting.

George! Is there no hope??!!
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Old 05-31-2016, 06:16 PM   #23
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Default Re: What is the correct timing Advance setting.

Maybe there will be a little hope? Maybe I'm just getting old.
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Old 05-31-2016, 06:57 PM   #24
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Default Re: What is the correct timing Advance setting.

New guy question....being that all cars are going to be different as far as where your spark advance lever is set for in town driving vs cruising is there a way to test where it should be. I saw something on model-a.org, it said something like pull the lever down until romantic increases and note where that is, that will be the best place to keep it for every day driving.
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Old 05-31-2016, 06:58 PM   #25
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Default Re: What is the correct timing Advance setting.

Here's the instructions.
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Old 05-31-2016, 07:04 PM   #26
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Default Re: What is the correct timing Advance setting.

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Quote:
Originally Posted by JOHN CT View Post
I've been following this thread so I was curious. I have the Nerex timing gauge installed. Went out to the A ,dugout the old timing light.Fullretarded it's at 10 btdc to fully Advance at 35 atdc it runs great ( I think) What are your thoughts?
Thanks
I forgot to mention it's a stock motor





retard at 10º BTC and full advance at 35º ATC ?
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Old 05-31-2016, 07:31 PM   #27
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Default Re: What is the correct timing Advance setting.

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Originally Posted by JOHN CT View Post
I've been following this thread so I was curious. I have the Nerex timing gauge installed. Went out to the A ,dugout the old timing light.Fullretarded it's at 10 btdc to fully Advance at 35 atdc it runs great ( I think) What are your thoughts?
Thanks
I forgot to mention it's a stock motor
If it runs great...........don't touch it.

Most problems start from tinkering with a good running engine.
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Old 05-31-2016, 07:44 PM   #28
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Cool Re: What is the correct timing Advance setting.

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If it runs great...........don't touch it.

Most problems start from tinkering with a good running engine.
I resemble that remark.....
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Old 06-01-2016, 05:41 AM   #29
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Default Re: What is the correct timing Advance setting.

Quote:
Originally Posted by forever4 View Post
Is that written on a grain of rice? I remember that from Ripleys Believe It or Not when I was a kid.
Sorry posted that from my iPhone and never looked at the picture, here's a link to the page, it starts about half way down under "Using Carberetor to Check Engine Timing"

http://www.model-a.org/controls_adjustments.html
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Old 06-01-2016, 07:36 AM   #30
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Default Re: What is the correct timing Advance setting.

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Better measure again. That is completely mixed up, and impossible. BTDC is advanced, and ATDC is retarded, and you only have a grand total of 40 degrees to work with, not 45.
sorry if I had it backwords its 10deg ATDC and 30deg BTDC thanks
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Old 06-01-2016, 07:52 AM   #31
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Default Re: What is the correct timing Advance setting.

Instructions posted on the model-a.org website seem wrong to me.

It appears they have the points opening when the spark advance is 3/4 of the way down?? By my thinking this would have the timing severely retarded.

Or do they mean 1/4 of the down, with 3/4's of the way yet to go??????


I have always done "3 clicks" down. So that the base timing is a few degrees after TDC.
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Old 06-01-2016, 09:41 AM   #32
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Default Re: What is the correct timing Advance setting.

Do Tom W's method and it won't matter where the lever is
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Old 06-01-2016, 10:02 AM   #33
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Default Re: What is the correct timing Advance setting.

My old Indian Grand father taught me years, and years ago, Lever up, start engine, back out of driveway, lever down to about 9 or 10 o'clock, go drive.
Things use to be so simple. . He didn't worry about degrees, unless it got over 90. I still drive that way today. I must be getting old.
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Old 06-01-2016, 10:42 AM   #34
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Default Re: What is the correct timing Advance setting.

that is perfect for a stock motor with a 4.2 head.
It all changes tho once you start hanging performance goodies on the motor
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