What would the timing be for a 289? I dont believe it has aftermarket internal parts that would effect the timing such as a cam.

I was looking at my shop manual and it says TDC for a 289 with a thermactor and 6 degrees for a 289 without a thermactor. I am not sure what a Thermactor is.

I looked at the timing mark today and I believe it was showing over 20.. not sure if that was right or if it was just dirty and didnt see it clearly.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Static timing needs to be set at idle with the vacuum advance hose disconnected and plugged. I'd recommend setting it at 8-10* at idle.

 

x2 yah that's perfect for unmodified 289 as well as mine (slightly modified).

i'd suggest stopping the engine, cleaning the balancer and make a new tip-ex mark where TDC is. Then use a timing light again. you should see it clearly then

 

I was reading some posts that said 8-10 is the best.

Thanks!

 

When I take the vacuum off the distributor to set the timing the car doesnt want to stay on. What should I do?

UPDATE:

I think it was over too much and that is why it was stalling. I got it set at 10, tighted the distributor down and rechecked with the vacuum hose still plugged and it was still at 10. I hooked the hose back up and when I checked it it was showing around 30. Is that okay as long as its at 10 with the vacuum hose disconnected and plugged?

Thanks!

 

Firstly, thermactor is the air injection system used on the 66 california cars (at first). There should be no vacum at idle going the the dist. If you have some, the hose is either hooked to the wrong port on the carb ( it should not be connected to any port below the throttle) or the throttle plate is exposing the port. with the hose off and set at 10 - that' a little high for a stock engine but if it don't ping leave it alone. You need to fix the reason that it advances when the hose is put back on though. You may need to reset the idle speed to let the car run at idle with 10 degs of static timing once the vacum issue is solved.

 

So it shouldnt advance once the vacuum hose is put back on?

 

there are two different sources for vacuum on a car. one is ported the other is from manifold. When you have vacuum at idle (timing changes) then it sounds like you have hooked it up at the wrong port of the carb. what carb is it? pictures.
means yes, it shouldn't advance at idle with no load

when you disconnect at the vacuum canister on distributor you say the engine stalls. how about when you plug the hose coming from the carburetor?

there are many options, maybe you have the car so far advanced that you have the curb idle screw all out to keep it at 850 rpm ?!

 

Its a Edelbrock.

I switched the port on the carb and it is keeping a constant 10 now when I have the advanced vacuum unplugged and plugged in. I think it is good to go now. The previous owner had it wrong.

Thanks for the help!

 

Good job