Distributer issue, From 18 to 30 initial timing??

[kamkuda]

Any idea what situtaion would cause this
My distributer had 18 degrees Initial timing and 36 total.  I was at a buddies and he checked 30 inital and 36 total!
What could cause this?

Here is how I adjusted the distributer to limit timing

I have one lite spring and one normal spring in it.

[firefighter3931]

Rob,

I suspect your buddy's timing light is off. I don't see any engine starting with 30* initial and not having severe kickback.....if it'll even start at all. The xe275 won't want anywhere near that much spark lead. 


Ron

[kamkuda]

Thats what I am thinking too.  I remember it kicking back when I was first trying to set the initial at higher level.  I have my timing light at the other shop.  I will have to check later

[Steve P.]

30* is about enough to bust the nose cone right off your starter..  I think Ron is right.. Check it with a KNOWN good light..

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

I had mine done by FBO and I think they welded the slots there to limit timing   I too would think that 30º would be too much initial to start the car.  I also thought that the higher initial indicated higher total as well

[Plumcrazy]

I agree it could be a timing light issue, but what make makes me question that is the fact that the initial timing is different from your own reading but not the total timing number.

I'm wondering if maybe the light spring isn't too light and allowing a lot of timing to kick in with just a small rpm change.  Have you mapped out the timing curve with your light to see how soon the timing gets up to 30*?

[Challenger340]

Do you have a "stock" ignition box, or "multiple spark discharge" ?

Was buddy using an "adjustable" timing light ?

Multiply Spark Discharge systems, send multiple sparks to each cylinder below 2300-2600 rpm, after which they switch to ONE hotter spark per cylinder at the higher rpm ranges.

Might explain why when checking your initial at low rpm, you're getting a feedback from the light(misread ?), and when checking total timing at the higher rpm., you're getting the same(accurate) reading.

Just a thought, Bob out.

[firefighter3931]

Do you have a "stock" ignition box, or "multiple spark discharge" ?

Was buddy using an "adjustable" timing light ?

Multiply Spark Discharge systems, send multiple sparks to each cylinder below 2300-2600 rpm, after which they switch to ONE hotter spark per cylinder at the higher rpm ranges.

Might explain why when checking your initial at low rpm, you're getting a feedback from the light(misread ?), and when checking total timing at the higher rpm., you're getting the same(accurate) reading.

Just a thought, Bob out.

That's an excellent point Bob  ....this car does have an MSD 6A box on it (I helped install it). I know that some dialback timing lights act funny when a multiple spark discharge unit is present. My 25 yr old Craftsman light (non-dialback) works fine with any multi spark box, fwiw.



Ron

[kamkuda]

I tested with my own light and all is good.  Thanks, you nailed it Bob