383 timing
 

I've got a 79 camaro and put in a used 383. No idea what kind of cam it has so not sure where to set the idle timing. I can't get it close to 14° I've seen people do around 32° what is a good number to run? Thanks

What kind of setup do you have? Any built in advance?

32 degs is close to max advance. You would not do that on a car that have any type of advance system in it or any car we want to drive everyday. A engine at 32degs and 2000 RPMs is going to run like crap.

Its a stock distributer from a 305 or 350. I'm thinking I might be a tooth off when I put the distributer in?

Once the engine is running, there's no such issue as "being a tooth off". The only difference tooth location would make is how it affects the clocking position of the vacuum advance can. As Gorn stated, 32 degrees is pretty much where you want your maximum advance (at higher rpm) to be. Try setting curb idle timing at 10 and take it for a ride. Listen for any pinging "marbles in the cylinders" when the engine is under a load. If you have, retard the timing a couple degrees and take for another test drive. Or if no ping, advance a couple more degrees and test drive it.

First thing you need to do is map out the timing advance you have. Is the vacuum advance hooked up? How much total timing are you getting from you centrifuge weights? Are they even working? This is easy to do with a timing light that shows how much advance you have.

The vacuum advance just add timing in light load conditions to make the car idle a little better and smoother at cruse speeds. Since it is a light load device most hot roaders ignore it but it can make your car idle a lot better unless you have a huge cam.

....Once you install timing tape onto the harmonic dampener, since total timing is way beyond what the timing tab displays. ;)

Along that line of taught, there is always the possibility that the timing marks are off. It would be a good idea to spend a few minutes to get an accurate TDC and mark it.

What's the best and easiest way to check the timing marks?

You could have the wrong harmonic dampener on, some have different timing notch positions, or your timing tab isn't right. Here's how to find true TDC: