How many degrees of timing should a Chevy 350 have?

Timing for a Chevy 350 Engine
The timing for a Chevy 350 engine can vary based on several factors, including the specific application and components used. Here are some key points to consider:
1. Initial Timing:
– The initial timing for a stock to mild cam is typically set at 10 to 12 degrees before top dead center (BTDC) without vacuum advance connected.
– For a small block Chevy, the timing should be set at around 4 to 12 degrees BTDC for initial timing .
2. Total Timing:
– The total timing for a street high-performance small-block Chevy is usually in the range of 12 to 18 degrees BTDC, with total timing at full centrifugal advance about 34 to 36 degrees BTDC, as read at the crank.
3. Adjusting the Timing:
– To adjust the timing, it’s recommended to rev the engine up to about 3,500 RPM to ensure that the mechanical weights are fully activated and then set the dial on the timing light to 36 degrees.
– The timing on a Chevy 350 engine should be set at around 4 to 12 degrees BTDC for initial timing.
In summary, the timing for a Chevy 350 engine can vary based on factors such as the specific components, application, and performance requirements. It’s important to consider the initial timing, total timing, and the process for adjusting the timing to ensure optimal engine performance.
If you have further questions or need more specific guidance based on your engine setup, feel free to ask for additional details.

How do I know if my timing is too advanced?

Clues that the timing is too advanced would be hard cranking, the engine tries to kick back when cranking, rough idle can be caused by too much advance, and detonation is another sign of too much advance.

How do you know if your timing is too far advanced?

Clues that the timing is too advanced would be hard cranking, the engine tries to kick back when cranking, rough idle can be caused by too much advance, and detonation is another sign of too much advance.

What should engine timing be set at?

around 36 degrees
Total timing requirements are dependent upon many variables. A typical street engine with a compression ratio of 9.0:1 runs very well with around 36 degrees of timing (initial plus mechanical) for a rough total of 15-55 degrees of timing at light throttle when vacuum advance is employed.

What is the best timing for a SBC?

Depending on your cylinder heads, compression ratio, camshaft, and centrifugal advance curve in the distributor, “normal” base timing for a street high-perf small-block Chevy is somewhere in the 12- to 18-degree before top dead center (BTDC) range, with total timing at full centrifugal advance about 34 to 36 degrees …

How do I know if my engine timing is correct?

Your engine’s performance should be as smooth as a ballroom dance, but if you notice it stumbling, stuttering, or emitting an irregular rhythm, it might be a telltale sign of timing trouble. Misfires are like the misplaced steps of a dancer, disrupting the fluidity of your engine’s performance.

What is the minimum best timing?

MBT stands for ‘Maximum Brake Torque Timing’, also referred to as ‘Minimum Best Timing’ – this is the optimum ignition angle to create maximum engine torque.

How many degrees of timing does idle have?

For MOST engines the timing is set at idle, and then the mechanisms (centrifugal weights and/or vacuum) advance the timing to suit the rpm and the engine load. The actual idle advance depends on the engine design. 5–8 degrees is fairly common but in some low compression engines it can be 10BTDC or thereabouts.

Is 40 degrees too much timing?

In order to make the most power possible at part throttle, we need to start the combustion process much sooner—perhaps as much as 40 degrees BTDC or more depending upon the engine’s individual demands. But we only need this much timing when the engine is under very light load.

Is 30 degrees of timing too much?

Yes, 30 degrees advance at idle with the vacuum advance connected is usually OK. But, if the distributor is locked at 30 degrees at idle with no vacuum advance connected, that’s not good. It needs to fall back to base timing with mechanical advance based on RPM while starting and under load.

What should timing be set at Chevy 350?

How do you set the total timing on a Chevy 350? The timing can vary between 2 and 12 degrees BTDC, the recommended spark plugs are different and even the plug gaps vary. In most cases starting out with 12 degrees of initial advance is about right.