timing curve quistion

How much timing is good for 2 bbl.500 cfm.hyd.can 383 SBC?.when should it be at full advance?.3000,3500,4000rpms?or would it be best to lock distributor?

Lock it!!!!!!!!!!!

Less crap inside that can break or come apart and mess things up in there.

I would leave a curve in it with total advance at 3500 engines run better at the drop of the green and start easier with a timing curve vs locked out. If you want to know what your curve should be for sure call the distributor mfg or call DUI and talk to their tech.

lock it, one less thing to worry about.

thanks..appreciate the help

I ran a 383, Dist was locked and 34 Deg TTL timing.

Dave

Lock it, when starting- turn the motor over then hit the ignition switch. 32-36 degrees of timing is the norm for SBC. Check plugs and watch the temp gauge. Tune motor through timing and jets. Good luck!

I agree with locking it. Just spin it over on a button and then hit the switch. I forgot who it was on here when this question was asked before, maybe Perfconn, but the person said we are not building engines that idle in the parking lot of a supermarket. LOL

ive got to disagree with locking it down, even getting the engine spinning then flipping the switch can still get a starter ripped off and/or a broke bellhousing. I prefer a msd distributor , I set starting timing at 10 deg , I use the lightest springs, that way you are starting easy, but when it cranks with the light springs it totals at around 2000rpms so it acts as if it is locked, you can also buy a curve kit to do this to a stock dist. JMO

It is cool that the curve works for you, just we have never, ever had a starter or bellhousing break over the 20+ years. I think most, if not all, national engine builders use a locked down distributor...

this is for a 2 bbl.15'' vacuum rule engine...not an open engine

if you don't have or cant use one of the full digital controlled spark boxes, like the ones most people use with a locked down dist on a open engine, I would stick with the mechanical advance and learn how to use it. a lot of the open engines are crank triggered and rely on the box to handle it all.

Pull more vac. Fully locked out at idle for tech on vac . tried running mech. Advance and it wouldnt pull vac. At 1000. Save some time and take the weights off and weld it up.