Timing Assistance Needed

[Blown4.6]

Okay, after months of problems with my windsor, and more $$ than I can stand to think about, I think I know what I need to do to get this thing running right.

The main problem is that it stumbles hard under light acelleration.

Suspected reason: I think it's just too little initial timing, or not advancing fast enough. The vacuum advance unit has "12" scratched in it; so, I suspect it should have 12 degrees of initial advance. I have heard that 14 is better. If I'm a total novice with respect to distributors and adjusting the timing/advance, is this something someone can walk me through? The distributor is Pertronix. I just think it should be easy to adjust on my own......or am I wrong??

Thanks in advance.

 

[ravenblack67]

I have always had success with timing the full advance first. On most small blocks the 36 degree mark is 2" clockwise from TDC. I set the rpm to 3500 and adjust for 36. Then, I check the base timing for 9 to 12 degrees. There is a lot of conversation out there concerning where the advance should be. Some say 34 and some say 36. The alternate method is to set your base timing to 12 degrees and adust the advance weights to get 36 degrees. The vacuum advance module may have an adjustment screw inside the nipple. There are a some good articles out there on timing. Try a google search.