sbc timing question

What should I set the timing at on a 79 350? edelbrock intake, edelbrock carb, unknown cam, no smog stuff. I don't have a chevy manual. I have it timed by ear but I'd like it to start out with it closer to what it should be. don't worry its in a 64, not a 79

 

something like 8 deg would be perfect...

 

i like to start at 10 degrees initial advance.

 

My current ride sports a 1979 Chevy 350 as well, with a Holley four barrel and a stock HEI. Your ideal timing adjustment is going to depend on several factors, including:

*Vehicle weight
*Transmission type
*Rear axle ratio
*Engine operating temperature
*Fuel type (Leaded or Unleaded, and octane rating)
*Fuel mixture
*Engine condition
*Spark plug heat range

These apply in addition to your cam, manifold, carb, etc. A heavy car with lots of miles on the engine that runs at 195 to 205 degrees with an automatic transmission, stock torque converter and 2.56 rear gears running on cheap 86 octane fuel is going to accept far less spark advance than a tighter motor in a lighter car with 3.73 gears, a four speed, fatter mixture, and a 160 degree thermostat running on racing fuel will!

People can throw numbers at ya all day long, or say what works for them, but you need to tune your car to run it's best given all of your specific variables. What works for me, or Joe 4x4 down the block, or what's listed in a 79 Chilton's manual may not neccessarily be right for you and your combination!

My car has a bazillion miles on it, and although I keep the idle circut tuned slightly rich, the overall mixture is towards the lean side. The car has a TH-350 trans with a stock converter and it's a heavy car sporting 3.42 gears out back. I run a 195 degree stat, and the engine stays between there and 205 degrees. I have the timing knocked back quite a bit right now, set between 2 and 4 degrees initial. That keeps it from spark knocking with R46TS spark plugs and it runs smooth as glass, starts easily and can accept cheaper gas if I sneak it in once in a while.

If I were to step up the main jet sizing, install a colder thermostat, cooler plugs (R43TS) and run octane boost in the tank I'm sure I could dial it up to somewhere between 8 to 12 degrees initial, but this isn't a race car, so I tuned it to the conservative side since it serves as daily transportation right now.

You're not off base at all to be tuning your car by ear...that will get you closer to what you actually need than trying to go by what I set mine at, or what some repair manual calls for. Once you deviate from stock, you need to alter nearly every aspect of your tuning procedures to make the most of what you've got.

 

right on thanks for your help. I was just mainly looking for a starting point, the motor is pretty fresh I just got it running for the first time since I bought the car.