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Timing retarding

Canadian1968

Canadian1968

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I did see another post on a similar problem to mine.

Checking my timing, base set 18. When I increase the rpm , the timing will initially retard instead of advance. As I keep increasing rpm the timing will eventually shoot back it normal advance curve and continue to advance.

The other thread mentioned timing button and shim to the timing cover . Also read a lot of post that said timing button or cam walk is a non issue, especially with a FT cam.

Other part of same thread talked about adding sleve to the bottom of the distributor shaft or even a rubber hose . This is ment to take up any up and down slack in the distributor ?

I don't really want to tear the front of the engine down if I don't have to.

Also had the distributor out and engaged the intermediate shaft. Should be absolutely zero play in between shaft and cam gear ?
20250727_135325.jpg


This is a new problem that seems to have started last year.

Engine probably has 8k on it
 
What is the condition of your advance weights and springs ?
 
WileE said:
What is the condition of your advance weights and springs ?
Click to expand...

All good had the distributor out and apart just make sure good, lubed up weights just for good measure . It's the mallory style MP distributor with the adjustable totally advance slots
20250728_211031.jpg
 
Last edited:
Since you have it out that far, check the intermediate shaft for wear where it rides in the bushing.
 
Didn't they have trouble with those distributors? Didn't Rick Ehernberg write about MP Mallory distributors in Mopar Action that they were troublesome.
 
I got ask. Are you checking timing with the VA unhooked. If it where hooked up to manifold vacuum it could go down when you open the throttle blades.
 
I don't see a vac adv unit....

If it did have a VA unit hooked up.....could it be a 318 dist [ opposite rotation ]? in which case revving in neutral would actuate the VA & retard the ign
 
68-500 said:
I got ask. Are you checking timing with the VA unhooked. If it where hooked up to manifold vacuum it could go down when you open the throttle blades.
Click to expand...

Vacuum advance is not hooked up
 
Geoff 2 said:
I don't see a vac adv unit....

If it did have a VA unit hooked up.....could it be a 318 dist [ opposite rotation ]? in which case revving in neutral would actuate the VA & retard the ign
Click to expand...
From what I see in the picture the mechanical advance arrangement sure looks like it will retard the timing.
The larger foot shaped piece will swing down and to the right pushing the 2 arms counterclockwise.
Unless I'm mistaken, I think it's the wrong distributor.
 
Don't think it was mentioned but are you using a dial back light or just a normal no frills light? I had a dial back and my timing would do that.. grabbed a normal light and issue went away..
 
Don Frelier said:
From what I see in the picture the mechanical advance arrangement sure looks like it will retard the timing.
The larger foot shaped piece will swing down and to the right pushing the 2 arms counterclockwise.
Unless I'm mistaken, I think it's the wrong distributor.
Click to expand...


Have to point out this distributor has been in the car for about 14 years. I have graphed timing curves with it . To the best of my memory I have never removed the weights , only changes the springs and adjusted the max mechanical advance

icetech said:
Don't think it was mentioned but are you using a dial back light or just a normal no frills light? I had a dial back and my timing would do that.. grabbed a normal light and issue went away..
Click to expand...

I'm using a Innova timing light it's does allow me to dial back. I do have an old light I can use. But this ignition timing does correspond with a little throttle miss/ sputter I am was originally diagnosing
 
Canadian1968 said:
Have to point out this distributor has been in the car for about 14 years. I have graphed timing curves with it . To the best of my memory I have never removed the weights , only changes the springs and adjusted the max mechanical advance



I'm using a Innova timing light it's does allow me to dial back. I do have an old light I can use. But this ignition timing does correspond with a little throttle miss/ sputter I am was originally diagnosing
Click to expand...
ah k.. sorry.. i had a innova that was making me nuts... and ended up being the light, just making sure.
 
Are the adjusting screws in the slots fully tightened?
 
Well update and solution.

I went and added a collar to the bottom of the distributor gear.

Put everything back together and fired it up. Set timing back to 18* , gave it some throttle exact same thing !

Disconnected my Innova timing light and hooked up old school timing light. And rechecked. Everything back to normal ! , no retarding.

So I unhooked the old timing light and put back the new Innova light I got last year . Instead of adjusting for my base timing of 18. I left it at 0 , and voila it's works as it should!

What I was doing was adjusting to 18 on the light for my base and then adding throttle to watch for advance. And it would look like the timing was retarding but it really wasn't.

Now I have to admit my first time using a new digital timing like this. So I am.not sure if this is how they all work ?

So in conclusion , I now have a collar to keep my timing nice and steady ( even though it was before ! ) AND I still have to diagnose my light throttle miss.

Hahahaha geez ....... learning new stuff can be annoying!
 
icetech said:
Don't think it was mentioned but are you using a dial back light or just a normal no frills light? I had a dial back and my timing would do that.. grabbed a normal light and issue went away..
Click to expand...


You were right !
 
Canadian1968 said:
You were right !
Click to expand...
yeah, on mine i would set the dialback to zero and it would hold steady timing... but if i went off zero, i would rev the engine, the timing would advance, then go way back.. then advance again. Glad you found it : )
 
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