SBC 302 is in, running!, Needs some tuning, any suggestions? Options

[marks914]

Got the 305 out and put the 302 in, runs pretty well.
I am running an edelbrock 600,
Hydraulic roller cam .56 lift 236/236 duration.

I am in the process of tuning it right now. I have HEI vacuum advance hooked up to the timed port on the carb.

The engine has some lope to it, when I advance the distributor to smooth out the idle, it purrs like a kitten and no spark knock. The problem is when I advance the ignition timing this far, it is difficult for the starter to turn over the engine.

Here is what I am going to try, please tell me if this makes sense:
I was going to put the vacuum advance on the manifold vacuum port, thus giving more advance at idle, I do not think this would affect the initial start up advance, making the starter able to turn the motor over when hot.

here are some pics

Thanks

Mark

PS, the car is a bit quicker now, the power comes on at 3000 RPMs, so it is very driveable around town with the power where it needs to be.

[Dr. Roger]

Hey Mark,

I had the same thing going on with mine. Only my dizzy is a Mallory with vac advance. BTW, the vacuum advance goes on a spark port. If you hook it up to a vacuum port you will get max advance at idle and it will retard when you stomp on it. I don't think you want to do that.

I've tried different things including running the mechanical advance just to the point where it won't turn over and backing it off a degree or two. That worked fine but I believe I never did get all the HP and torque out of the motor. I believe I have come up with a better solution now.

I agree with greybeard in that they like advance but if you're 6 degrees while turning it over, it will not turn over. =)

I have just recurved my distributor so it has very little advance while turning over but advances up to around 6 degrees at idle RPM.


when I bought my EBay/second-hand dizzy I never noticed it had heavier springs in it and in order to get all the HP out if it at higher RPM's it needed more advance. Now, with lighter springs, it will get it's advance sooner and still allow for turning it over.

Recurve kit= cheap.
Just make dang sure you don't start pinging at any RPM.

Best of luck,
Roger