is this normal when adjusting timing???

[Foxfan88]

Ok i had my timing at 10 deg with 87 octane, i adjusted it yesterday to 13ish.
I have slight spark knock, nothing bad so it can wait until i fill up again.

Well anyway when i had it on 10 deg, when i started the car, it would start all fine and normal.
When i have it at 13-14 is starts like a carbed car.

Doesnt jump to like 1500 for a sec, it just kind starts and kind of sputters at like 800 for a sec then its fine.

And i find my idle is slightly lower with 14 degs....

Is this normal ??

 

[ss93cobra]

Somewhat on a higher mileage car. Depends on status of the tune up as well. Old plugs will affect it as well as cap and rotor. Sounds like compression might be effecting it too.

 

[89CopCoupe]

The spark knock is normal, but I've always found the reverse of this to be ...

When I've advanced, the idle speed is raised ... the start up is quicker.

 

[Foxfan88]

The start up is quicker.

 

[HISSIN50]

In my experience, more advance raises the idle. And too much retardation can create a horrible cold starting situation (like one has an almost dead battery for a second). Too much retardation ( ) can lead to chugging on carbed stuff while at cruise (have not noticed this on EFI)

Are you real sure the balancer did not spin? It would suck to have a bad starting reference point.

Good luck.

 

[Foxfan88]

how can i tell if the balancer is spun????

Like when i first started the car, i pointed the light and noticed the marks i made were moving like a half inch left and right, then it stopped after like 10 secs and stayed in one spot....

 

[HISSIN50]

the balancer might wobble when lookin at it while the motor idles. Or with the motor off, one might notice the elastomer coming out of the area between the inner and outer hubs. I would not necessarily sweat it, unless each time you check timing, the timing is not set where you last left it.

You are not setting timing until the motor is warm, right? And you remove the SPOUT with the car off and then start the car?

Good luck.