engine running funny

[firebane]

Jim:The balancer hasnt slipped it was actually that my marks didnt line up so I am 3-4 degrees more advanced than what my balancer reads. I tore it down and started from scratch to make sure everything was lined up again.
It wont overheat if I start it and let it idle. I left it idle without moving it for at least 20 mins the other day while I was doing some adjusting and it never overheated. I then went for about a 5-7 minute drive up the road and back and it set idling for another 5 minutes or so then it gradually kept creeping up past the 210 mark and almost to the 3/4 mark until I had to cut it off.
I did put the thermostat in a pot of water before I installed it and it opened fine and it probably doesnt even have 50 miles on it. Right now the timing is set at about 18* BTDC initial. I have replaced the distributor and have not checked my total timing yet.

Holy crap 18* that is WAY to high and I'm going to say something is wrong somewhere. You should be at 12-14* BTDC when the truck is running.

 

[Mmoore031908]

it runs with the timing that low just not very well. Any ideas what would make it want way more timing like that? The balancer is confirmed 3-4 degrees off so for 18 my balancer is around 21-22 degrees.

 

[Mmoore031908]

I made sure I used a piston stop and marked the balancer.

 

[firebane]

I made sure I used a piston stop and marked the balancer.

Forget about the piston stop. Take off your left valve cover and turn the balancer over until you see both #1 I/E valves close and the #3 intake valve fully open; This represents TDC.

Check where TDC is in reference to the 0 mark on your balancer.

 

[Jims86]

Jim:The balancer hasnt slipped it was actually that my marks didnt line up so I am 3-4 degrees more advanced than what my balancer reads. I tore it down and started from scratch to make sure everything was lined up again.
It wont overheat if I start it and let it idle. I left it idle without moving it for at least 20 mins the other day while I was doing some adjusting and it never overheated. I then went for about a 5-7 minute drive up the road and back and it set idling for another 5 minutes or so then it gradually kept creeping up past the 210 mark and almost to the 3/4 mark until I had to cut it off.
I did put the thermostat in a pot of water before I installed it and it opened fine and it probably doesnt even have 50 miles on it. Right now the timing is set at about 18* BTDC initial. I have replaced the distributor and have not checked my total timing yet.

Ok, when you say you have the Holly 600 clone, is the float adjustable like a Holley? This should be correctable, and it sounds like the float may be too low. Holleys are the best aftermarket carb out there...and, I think the summit is made by Holley anyways. I like to use the clear sign plugs on the float bowl. Have a fire extinguisher handy, and pull the plug out of the bowl while the engine is running...you just want to see fuel barely dripping over the edge, and that should be a perfect base setting.
Another thing, 18° BTDC is a bit high, try bringing it back down to about 10°...you only want a total of about 32° at around 3600 RPM.
Stock factory settings were only between 4° and 6° for base timing.

 

[rich weyand]

I'll differ a bit. The general consensus is that SBCs do best with 34-36 degrees of total timing. With a 20* stock mechanical advance HEI, most people would say your best timing is 14-16 BTDC.

Generally speaking, more advance is better, right to the detonation limit. All the old school hot rod guys I know just keep advancing it until they get pinging, then back off 2 degrees. I'm running 17* BTDC with no problems, and the engine loves it.

 

[Jims86]

I'll differ a bit. The general consensus is that SBCs do best with 34-36 degrees of total timing. With a 20* stock mechanical advance HEI, most people would say your best timing is 14-16 BTDC.

Generally speaking, more advance is better, right to the detonation limit. All the old school hot rod guys I know just keep advancing it until they get pinging, then back off 2 degrees. I'm running 17* BTDC with no problems, and the engine loves it.

Agreed Rich, I usually recommend a more stocking timing setting while troubleshooting...then when everything is at a good baseline, the Ping is the limit!

 

[Don5]

I'll differ a bit. The general consensus is that SBCs do best with 34-36 degrees of total timing. With a 20* stock mechanical advance HEI, most people would say your best timing is 14-16 BTDC.

Generally speaking, more advance is better, right to the detonation limit. All the old school hot rod guys I know just keep advancing it until they get pinging, then back off 2 degrees. I'm running 17* BTDC with no problems, and the engine loves it.

^This is what I did. I would advance it until it started running rough and then back off until it smoothed out. By then the engine was warmed up. I would turn it off and stand outside of the truck. I would then reach in and start it without pumping the gas. If the engine started and idled then I considered the timing to be right on. Is that crazy? I have always done it that way regardless of what cam or engine I had in my truck.

I also will say that I put the medium curve spring in the distributor also. I also run a q-jet. I never had any problems with it starting, running etc. I also think I installed the cam straight up as well.

I learned this from my old neighbor. He was a diesel mechanic as well as a darn good general mechanic. This was how he set his 77 Chevy 4x4 up. Old school baby. That was how it was done back then.