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.

[byndbad914]

Hey Mike - I am going to just kinda reinforce a couple statements already made so you have a clear idea of how to set the car up:

1. Get rid of that air cleaner as they do have a tendency to burn a car down with a backfire thru the carb and the filter does breakup after time and suck into the carb.

2. You have Edelbrock RPM heads IIRC. So, my guess is at your altitude you probably want 32-34 degrees total mechanical timing at 3000rpm and higher. So, get a dial back light or somehow mark 32 and 34 degrees on the balancer and set the timing with the vac advance disconnected, holding rpm around 3K. Then, for shits and giggles (tho' essentially irrelevant) you can see where the timing is at your idle rpm. Reconnect the vac advance to vacuum if you want to but frankly I have never ran a vacuum advance on a hot engine. I just set total timing mechanically and run from there. I would personally not even use the vac advance, but that is a matter of personal taste.

3. Get a gear reduction starter and you will never have a starting issue. I tried the stock 914 starter with my 11:1 motor and smoked it! I think it sorta turned the engine over twice and then threw in the towel (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) So I got a "mini" starter and I can crank the motor until I get oil pressure with the dry sump before firing, so it spins it pretty well.

I have ran 20 deg of mechanical advance in most of my hot street engines I built, set the timing at 32-38 degrees (depends on engine and altitude, etc etc) and then base timing was somewhere in the 12-18deg range and run reduction starters. That setup will snap off the line and run great on the street, no vacuum adv of course, and kicks ass.

The long rod dwell you will have with the 302 will also affect the amount of total timing you will want. Safe is 32-34 total probably, but I used to run my long rod 302 Ford back in the day at 36 on the street at sea level in SoCal and around 40-41deg at the dragstrip in Palmdale at altitude!! Best times were at that much timing, so trust me, timing is very engine dependent and altitude, etc etc etc.
Best of luck,
Tim