Locked timing , yes or no
 

In a drag race application , big block , automatic ..........any point in a vac advance...............I would prefer it just locked out .

This post is to advise someone else..............I want a concensus so he can decide.

Re: Locked timing , yes or no
 

Vacuum advance on a race car? Absolutely not.

Re: Locked timing , yes or no
 

The distributor should be completely locked out, and timing adjustment should be done by the ignition box

Re: Locked timing , yes or no
 

Be sure that you have a start retard or you're bound to have serious kick-back issues during starting. Some start retards are built right into the ignition box and it may be just a matter of hooking it up and setting it.

Re: Locked timing , yes or no
 

Drag race application...check

Big block...check

automatic...check

and the timing on my 950HP 522 is NOT locked out!

Easier starting, no kickbacks, no chipped flex plates, no busted starter drives.

MSD billet distributor, with largest bushing installed. Full advance is all in at 2200 IIRC.

Re: Locked timing , yes or no
 

I can see that........I think he ( the guy this is about ) just needs to spend more time with the distributor.

Re: Locked timing , yes or no
 

I had the timing locked in my car, with not so good results. Tore teeth off of the flywheel once. Started when it was cold and cool. south of 130* water temp. As soon as it got warm, the engine would struggle to start. Rewired the car with new battery cables, better batteries, and it didn't get better. Soon as I installed the weight kit in the dist, my problems were solved. It started everywhere anytime.

If you run a 16volt battery, it may not be an issue

Re: Locked timing , yes or no
 

I have never locked my timing. I don't see the point. Only thing I ever locked was the mag in my sprint car, but that was a push start deal.

Re: Locked timing , yes or no
 

The timing of this post (no pun intended!) was perfect. I was just getting ready to lock the distributor on the 'wagon, but I think I'll keep the advance weights in it!

Re: Locked timing , yes or no
 

I have it locked in my car.......and it works just fine that way.