Mopar Muscle Association UK

Well, I never thought I'd be asking that!!

318 poly in my neighbour's 1966 Bristol 409.

Book timing says 7.5 degrees.

Ive set it at that at idle with vacc disconnected, and it seems to run really nicely. It was previously at 15 degrees at idle and lacked pick up.

I only have about 20 degrees all in at 3000 rpm.
Owner says it sounds alot better and more throaty now, just from backing timing off a bit.

I just wondered if I need more timing, or does the usual advice about 30ish degrees all in mainly apply to the LA small blocks, and polys don't like so much timing.

It's a stock set up, 4 barrel holley with push button auto, and its really lovely to drive.

Was a lovely Bristol at Reading services 6 weeks ago,that was a 68 in a very dark blue.

believe with a poly head

much like a hemi 6 head

open chamber

total timing probably doesn't need to go further than 28BTDC

more just makes more noise and less power

sounds like someone set it to max 28 and didn't check initial

if it runs and it likes what it has that that obviously fits with the cam CR and exhaust it has

job done

Dave

Just need to get it to start from cold now.
Float levels were way too hig and the only way the owner gets it to start is with a garden sprayer full of petrol over the open carb, which is quite spectacular when it kicks back and everything goes orange and flamey!

In the owners manual for my demon it says for cold starts you need to fully depress the throttle pedal 3 times and turn it over with the pedal held at half throttle?
Mine picks up first time every time if I follow the book?

I couldnt get it to start from cold , so I advanced the timing and it went first time, so my own advice was needed of check the timing, then check the timing, and then check the timing!

The three pumps is what i tend to do on all Mopars, 1st pump sets choke (iuf auto) then next too stick a bit of fuel through to help it fire up.

On Modern fuel I would be inclined to put more timing in that that; depending on how much initial you end up with....

I did the last timing with no light, just swung it round a bit to advance it and it fired straight away.

7.5 degrees seems too little so we may just see what it starts and runs nicely on, and ignore the old settings, which were probably geared for 5 star fuel as it is 1966 car with a Canadian market engine.

I can bring my snap on light some time if you wish...

My Gunson is quite good, despite being cheap. main problem is identifying the mark on the pulley, its very indistinct and I wonder if its even correct. I shall probably go with the old fashioned methods of if it sounds right it is right, listen for pinking then back it off a touch.

things improved dramatically when my old hemi 6 setup in respect top hot and cold starting once I went to electrnic ignition

Dave

This is already running lumenition.