What are the timing instructions on a Chevy 454?

Chevy 454 Timing Instructions. The numbers to the left of the V, looking at the engine from the front, are degrees of advance or how many degrees before top dead center. The numbers to the right of the V are degrees after top dead center. You always want to have the timing advanced or before top dead center.

What should timing mark be on FMCA 454?

The hard part is to get a good look at the timing mark bracket mounted on the timing chain cover because of the shroud! The setting should be 4deg. before TDC. Forgot to mention that one needs to remove the Vacuum line going to the vacuum advance on the distributor or the timing will not set correctly.

What should the engine RPM be on a 454?

Connect the vac., should be direct vac. not ported, timming will jump and engine rpm will pick up. A MSD dist. is a different deal, dial back is useless on that. Remove the vac. and block, pull the rpms up to 3K and set total to 36 or 38.

What’s the best time to time a 454?

Go all the way around and see if tou are in the range of adjustment, vac. can doesn’t whack the intake, that sort of thing. Get it close, button up, advance it a little and put some fire in the pig. To time it, remove and block the vac., set the initial to 8 or 10.

What should the ignition timing be for a blown alcohol engine?

Less ignition timing is needed for higher power ignition systems. For a blown alcohol engine with an old 2 primary ampere magneto, 38 degrees of timing was common. With a higher power magneto near 4 primary amperes, 36 degrees of timing is common.

How to time a big block chevy engine?

Rotating the distributor counterclockwise will advance (increase) the timing. Rotating the distributor clockwise will retard (decrease) the spark timing. Start the engine and allow it to warm to operating temperature. Shine the timing light carefully down the driver’s side of the front of the engine at the harmonic balancer.

Where is the compression stroke on a Chevy 454?

Look for the long straight line on the balancer and mark this. Look at the timing plate on the driver’s side of the timing chain cover. Notice that it has a V cut in the center of the marker plate — this is top dead center on the compression stroke.

What should I do if my timing is too high?

Bring the engine back to an idle and check the reading on the light. If the total timing is less than 32 degrees, rotate the distributor counter-clockwise to advance and check again. The opposite goes for a timing that is too high. Once set, re-tighten the distributor hold-down bolt.

Where is the timing mark on a Chevy 454?

Disconnect the vacuum advance hose on the distributor and plug the hose with a screw. Start the engine. Shine the timing light at the harmonic balancer timing mark on the driver’s side of the engine. Read the number on the timing plate adjacent to the timing mark on the balancer.

How to set your timing for peak rpm?

Start the engine. It may kick back a little due to the advance coming in immediately without the springs. If you™re using an adjustable timing light, set the light to 36 degrees advanced. Now rev the engine just a little while observing the timing marks with the light. It shouldn™t take much rpm to peg out the advance without the springs installed.

When did the Chevy 454 V8 come out?

In 1970, GM pushed the performance bar higher with the introduction of the Chevy 454 V8. Unlike the popular Chevy 427 that was used in a wide variety of automobiles, the 454 was used only in high performance cars like the Chevy Camaro, Corvette and Chevelle.

What’s the firing order on a Chevy 454?

The ignition firing order for a 454ci Chevrolet is 1, 8, 4, 3, 6, 5, 7, 2. From the front of the engine, the odd cylinders are on the right side, with cylinder 1 being the closest. The even-numbered cylinders are on the left, starting with cylinder 2.

What causes detonation on a Chevy 454?

Anything past about 34 degrees total timing results in detonation under heavy load, even on 98 octane unleaded fuel. This occurs with or without the vacuum advance connected so I know its a result of initial timing plus mechanical advance.

How old is a Chevy 454 V-8 engine?

To find out just how much the 30-year-old behemoth could muster, they took it to Westech Performance’s dyno room. Of course, the guys wanted to see what the old iron block had in her, so they ran a baseline test. They left all the original parts in place like the two-barrel carburetor and dilapidated ignition system.

How big is a 454 cubic inch Chevy?

What’s left, though, is a 454 cubic-inch big-block Chevy with huge potential. To find out just how much the 30-year-old behemoth could muster, they took it to Westech Performance’s dyno room. Of course, the guys wanted to see what the old iron block had in her, so they ran a baseline test.

What kind of ignition does a Chevy 454 have?

Anyone done any testing (dyno or otherwise) to come up with some good ignition curves for a 454? 1967 Impala Sport Sedan (factory Canadian RHD), 454 on dedicated LPG. 1979 Holden One Tonner Ute, 3.3 l 6 cyl (454 some day when that big bucket of money falls out of the sky!). Both Works In Progress. Re: 454 ignition timing.