Home page
SPONSOR AD

Support our Vendors!  |  Advertise Here

Topic: Timing and water temp

in Forum: C3 Engines


Already a Member?
Login
Not yet a Member?
Register for Free!

Back to top of thread

Re: Timing and water temp (6/16)
 6/30/20 10:50am
73shark
Limited Member
Send Private Message

Overland Park, KS - USA

Vette(s):
1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day.


Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 864

If the heat riser valve is still in the exhaust system, check to see if it's stuck closed.

If 8 degrees advance at idle gives you too much advance at higher RPMs then you might check to see if you can get a different set of centrifugal advance weights for the distributor.

Is it safe to assume that the radiator is clean and all of the seals are in place around it and on top of the radiator and also the fan is working properly?



______________

1973 L-82 4 spd

Re: Timing and water temp (7/16)
 6/30/20 11:21am
Dblancha79Gold Member
Gold Member
Send Private Message

Weatogue, CT - USA

Vette(s):
1979 C3 L82 383 cu in


Joined: 6/29/2015
Posts: 80

thanks, I'll check out the weights in the distributor. The aluminum radiator and duel electric fans are pretty new and fans are functioning properly. I have ceramic coated headers on it with no exhaust valve. Thanks for advise.



______________
 
 
 
 
"Made to be run hard"
Simsbury, Ct.

Re: Timing and water temp (8/16)
 6/30/20 3:25pm
F4GaryGold Member
Gold Member
Send Private Message

Grapevine, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air.


Joined: 8/26/2006
Posts: 1406

Are you using ported vacuum or manifold vacuum for your advance?  I'm using manifold vacuum with an MSD distributor and I'm running about 16 degrees btdc. 

I also blocked off the exhaust crossover at the intake manifold gaskets.



______________

   

Re: Timing and water temp (9/16)
 6/30/20 9:42pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
Lifetime Member
Moderator
Send Private Message

Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20126

Here's a couple of good threads on timing, vacuum, and carb adjustments. Both have excellent info from super knowledgeable folks.

Timing info 1

Timing info 2

 



______________

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    

My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)
             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Re: Timing and water temp (10/16)
 6/30/20 10:19pm
73shark
Limited Member
Send Private Message

Overland Park, KS - USA

Vette(s):
1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day.


Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 864

Another potential timing problem is having too light of a spring on the distributor centrifugal advance weights. What can happen if it's too light is that it will start advancing at idle speeds which makes it very difficult to both set the idle and the timing.



______________

1973 L-82 4 spd

Re: Timing and water temp (11/16)
 7/8/20 12:27pm
nosal1
Former Member

Send Private Message

Dunedin, FL - USA

Vette(s):
1980 Corvette Torch Red with Gold metallic 370HP/350 CU.IN.Turbo 350 w/shift kit.Originally CA.Car with 305 CU.IN.


Joined: 3/21/2006
Posts: 262

Good afternoon,If the picture in this query is the 383 you are having issues with,let me make some suggestions.

I have built several 383 engine here in FL. (VETTER BOB in this forum) and in CA. and the first thing to address and that is you will have to go with a mechanical fan,preferably a 7 blade which they are hard to come by,but can do with a 6 blade.It can be installed with your present pulley with adapter, I had the same pulley on my '80 Vette..After you install the mechanical fan,then we can work on my next suggestion.

Connect a vacuum gauge to the vacuum port in the intake manifold behind the carb or the non metered port on carb,however the intake manifold port is more accurate..Depending the gross lift of your cam the vacuum will be about 9-12 inches optimum of mercury again depending on cam lift.Get the starting vac.. and record the inches and advance the distributor to increase the vacuum if it will,if not set at between 9 -12 inches at the highest you can go without advancing to far and if it does increase vacuum then it will increase idle speed, reduce idle speed as vac. increases to set at 850-950 rpm.If you are advanced to much you will have resistance( bucking and "rumping))  in spinning engine..If all goes well you can install your timing light to get actual timing by gun..

Good luck and success..                          nosal          Sal C

Re: Timing and water temp (12/16)
 7/11/20 8:24am
nosal1
Former Member

Send Private Message

Dunedin, FL - USA

Vette(s):
1980 Corvette Torch Red with Gold metallic 370HP/350 CU.IN.Turbo 350 w/shift kit.Originally CA.Car with 305 CU.IN.


Joined: 3/21/2006
Posts: 262

Good morning .I found a picture of my Vette with a 7 blade mechanical fan.I later installed a fan clutch and electric fan which comes on at 182 degrees..I take no chances as Vettes are notorious for running hot.  & blade fan and extension..

Sal C



|UPDATED|7/11/2020 5:24:26 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Re: Timing and water temp (13/16)
 7/11/20 8:27am
nosal1
Former Member

Send Private Message

Dunedin, FL - USA

Vette(s):
1980 Corvette Torch Red with Gold metallic 370HP/350 CU.IN.Turbo 350 w/shift kit.Originally CA.Car with 305 CU.IN.


Joined: 3/21/2006
Posts: 262

 

Re: Timing and water temp (14/16)
 7/18/20 10:38am
Dblancha79Gold Member
Gold Member
Send Private Message

Weatogue, CT - USA

Vette(s):
1979 C3 L82 383 cu in


Joined: 6/29/2015
Posts: 80

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I am now able to get 35 degrees at 2500 rpm and 10 degrees advance at idle. A short test drive seemed to produce good results. My starter crapped out and I'm awaiting a new mini high torque 14:1 starter to give it a longer trial but I think I'm ok.



______________
 
 
 
 
"Made to be run hard"
Simsbury, Ct.

Re: Timing and water temp (15/16)
 7/18/20 1:31pm
F4GaryGold Member
Gold Member
Send Private Message

Grapevine, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air.


Joined: 8/26/2006
Posts: 1406

Was it the distributor advance springs?



______________

   

Re: Timing and water temp (16/16)
 7/28/20 12:31pm
knotacare
Former Member

Send Private Message

Newark, DE - USA

Vette(s):
1968 Conv, 454HO,500HP-600TQ, TKO-600,3:70 HD rear,hotrod air, custom paint & suspension,1973 Ruby Red,T-top, 383 Stroker, TK)-500,frame off restro, 1967 Dodge Coronet, 340 stroker to 406, Dana 60


Joined: 7/26/2004
Posts: 463

Look into a advance timing light vs the digital one. The instructions are simple & you will get  the timing set perfectly especially on a modified engine.  Use some water wetter & use a 25% antifreeze 75% distled water setup.  If it still heats up you have other problems.



______________

                                               

Our Sponsors help support C3VR