Locked timing , yes or no

Lew Silverman · 05-02-2014, 08:25 AM

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!

joespanova · 05-02-2014, 08:36 AM

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

Dwight Southerland · 05-02-2014, 08:48 AM

For those using a locked distributor or a crank trigger, you can also use one of the many ignition control boxes that have a built in retard circuit for starting. If you use mechanical advance, it will help to limit the amount of advance so that you have a lot of advance at idle to help engine idle quality with long duration camshaft. Seems like I had 10-12 degrees of advance in the distributor of my stocker so the fixed timing adjustment would be in the 24-30 degree range.

1320racer · 05-02-2014, 09:18 AM

the start retards do not work, been there done that. Some have stated they pull too much timing out.

Dwight Southerland · 05-02-2014, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1320racer

the start retards do not work, been there don't that. So have stated they pull too much timing out.

Not necessarily true. There are lots of solutions on the market and every engine combination is different. It will pay to do research and talk to those who it works for. I agree that some work and some do not.

Ron Gusack · 05-02-2014, 10:49 AM

Seems to me that the perfect advance curve would be beneficial to power gains through the rpm range and that the only real advantage to locked timing is a cleaner low rpm (driveability) car. If we want max pressure at a certain crank angle throughout the rpm range, don't we have to light the plug at various points? Maybe the rpm's are high enough and the rpm band is narrow enough that full advance is all that's needed going down the track. For my foot brake bracket car it seems like the correct curve would yield more power, but who cares about a little better ET in a bracket car?

Am I way off here?

Mike Pearson · 05-02-2014, 11:15 AM

I use a crank trigger set up with MSD 7AL locked timing with an MSD retard module. The car starts perfectly. I did convert to a 16V battery this year and it makes a world of difference. The 16v battery seems to have picked my car up a bit too.

05-02-2014, 08:25 AM	#1
Lew Silverman VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 1,435 Likes: 371 Liked 129 Times in 59 Posts	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! __________________ Lew Silverman #2070 "The Wagon Master" N/SA

05-02-2014, 08:36 AM	#2
joespanova Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ga. Posts: 521 Likes: 7 Liked 13 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Locked timing , yes or no I have it locked in my car.......and it works just fine that way.

05-02-2014, 08:48 AM	#3
Dwight Southerland VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Arkansas - In the middle of everything. Posts: 2,001 Likes: 64 Liked 779 Times in 193 Posts	Re: Locked timing , yes or no For those using a locked distributor or a crank trigger, you can also use one of the many ignition control boxes that have a built in retard circuit for starting. If you use mechanical advance, it will help to limit the amount of advance so that you have a lot of advance at idle to help engine idle quality with long duration camshaft. Seems like I had 10-12 degrees of advance in the distributor of my stocker so the fixed timing adjustment would be in the 24-30 degree range.

05-02-2014, 09:18 AM	#4
1320racer VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,628 Likes: 160 Liked 759 Times in 379 Posts	Re: Locked timing , yes or no the start retards do not work, been there done that. Some have stated they pull too much timing out. Last edited by 1320racer; 05-02-2014 at 02:10 PM.

05-02-2014, 10:49 AM	#6
Ron Gusack Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 244 Likes: 1 Liked 7 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Locked timing , yes or no Seems to me that the perfect advance curve would be beneficial to power gains through the rpm range and that the only real advantage to locked timing is a cleaner low rpm (driveability) car. If we want max pressure at a certain crank angle throughout the rpm range, don't we have to light the plug at various points? Maybe the rpm's are high enough and the rpm band is narrow enough that full advance is all that's needed going down the track. For my foot brake bracket car it seems like the correct curve would yield more power, but who cares about a little better ET in a bracket car? Am I way off here?

05-02-2014, 11:15 AM	#7
Mike Pearson VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,447 Likes: 615 Liked 1,923 Times in 578 Posts	Re: Locked timing , yes or no I use a crank trigger set up with MSD 7AL locked timing with an MSD retard module. The car starts perfectly. I did convert to a 16V battery this year and it makes a world of difference. The 16v battery seems to have picked my car up a bit too. __________________ Mike Pearson 2485 SS

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