Olds timing

[Tahiti Doug]

I am looking for ignition timing specs for a '73 455 Olds stocker(390 HP?). Base timing at least and total timing if available.

[kp216]

A good base setting is 10 degrees initial, 24 degrees mechanical, for a total of 34 degrees, all in by 3000 rpm.

[uglystick]

i set my timing at 8 degrees initial,with a total of 29degrees by 3500.i run it hard

[455Olds]

I recently found this timing info on another site. It was info related to the 70's Berkely 455 Packajets, and was broken down by model 455-4, 455-3, & 455-2.
Packajet Olds 455-4
Rated at: 320 HP at 4800 RPM
Compression: 8.5 to 1
Distributor Timing: 10° at 1100 RPM
Full Advance: 30° at 2800 RPM and Greater
Packajet Olds 455-3
Rated at: 295 HP at 4500 RPM
Compression: 8.5 to 1
Distributor Timing: 14° at 1100 RPM
Full Advance: 28° at 3000 RPM and Greater
Packajet Olds 455-2
Rated at: 330 HP at 4700 RPM
Compression: 10.5 to 1
Distributor Timing: 12° at 1100 RPM
Full Advance: 22° at 3000 RPM and Greater
Likely not the exact same application, but it may help.

[BK]

Those #'s seem low to me as for the total advance? I thought Olds motors liked alot of advance? I think kp216 is right, I had an Olds in my last boat and ran 10 initial and 24 mechanical all in by 3000 rpm, never had a problem. Id think youd want to run at least 32 total and all in by 3000 rpm.
[ August 13, 2003, 04:51 PM: Message edited by: BK ]

[malcolm]

I'm running around 20 initial, and 36 at 3000. It's an old dist, it doesn't have much mechanical.

[kp216]

Actually, on my 403 Olds, those figures I posted was what I set mine at.
Last Saturday, I took the boat out to play with the timing. I ended up setting initial at 14 degrees, with 24 mechanical, for 38 total. The boat ran harder than it ever has. I picked up 150RPM and another 1.2 MPH on the top end, and it launched like never before.
Don't be afraid to play with the timing! wink

[Budweiser]

Timing is everything.
Well, not really but I just HAD to say it.

[cyclone]

i ran 38-degrees total timing on my 455 but i had it come in around 2000 rpm. The boat launched real hard that way. If you've got a jet i'd have the timing in way before 3,000 rpm.

[kp216]

cyclone:
i ran 38-degrees total timing on my 455 but i had it come in around 2000 rpm. The boat launched real hard that way. If you've got a jet i'd have the timing in way before 3,000 rpm. Hmmm, maybe I need to play around with the springs in my distributor...