Table of Contents
How do you set the total engine timing?
How is it set?
- Determine your desired total timing.
- Set your Timing Light to your desired total timing.
- Start the engine.
- Rev the engine past the point where your mechanical advance is fully engaged.
- Watch the timing mark on the harmonic balancer using the timing light.
What is the difference between initial timing and total timing?
Initial timing refers to where the timing is set at an idle. This is also where you position the distributor when setting the timing. For instance, a distributor may be set up to supply 21° of centrifugal advance. Total timing is the term given to the highest amount of advance.
Which way do you turn the distributor to advance timing on a Pontiac 400?
To advance the timing, you twist the distributor in the opposite direction of the rotor spin. If clockwise rotor spin, turn distributor counter clockwise.
How do I set vacuum advance timing?
Disconnect the vacuum pump and insert a 3/32 Allen wrench into the port on the vacuum advance where the hose connects. There is a small adjusting screw in the vacuum advance. Turn the screw clockwise to decrease the vacuum advance and counterclockwise to increase the advance.
Do you set total timing with vacuum advance?
This is how vacuum advance works. At part throttle, high manifold vacuum moves the diaphragm in the vacuum advance canister on the distributor to add more timing. But at WOT, the vacuum drops to near zero and vacuum advance is removed and the total timing then is established by the initial plus the mechanical advance.
Which way do you turn a Pontiac distributor to advance timing?
Turn the distributor in a counterclockwise direction to advance the ignition timing. Do not over-adjust the distributor, as even a slight movement will yield a significant change in the ignition timing.
What is the firing order on a Pontiac 400?
Like all PONTIAC engines since 1955, the firing order sets is: 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2, all by turning it counterclockwise. Note that the cylinder number 1 is the next driver in front of the engine (the same location on all V-engines) or just the first behind the power steering pump.
What is the bore and stroke of a Pontiac 400?
Stock Pontiac 400 Specs: 400 standard bore is 4.120, stock stroke is 3.750, stock rod length is 6.625, stock wrist pin size is .9805. CID: Cubic inch displacement of engine. Bore: Finished cylinder bore size, in inches that pistons are designed to work in.
What is horsepower rating on a Pontiac 400?
The 389 posted numbers in the 330 horsepower range with a single spread-bore, four-barrel carburetor. The 400 pushed this number up to 360 horsepower, with the same Quadrajet single four-barrel.
What is a Pontiac 400?
The Pontiac 400 engine was used as a high performance engine in sports cars, and it was used in large cars as a workhorse type engine, strong on power, though not as speedy as the higher performance engines. This was accomplished to a large extent by the use of carburetors .