What is the factory recommended advance seting on a '68 / 472 engine ?
(I don't have the shop manual yet)

Thank you

After the engine is warmed up, the vacuum advance disconnected and the engine idle speed set to 550 rpm (in drive) the timing should be 5 degrees before top dead center.
The distributor hold-down bolt should be tightened to 18 lb/ft.

These specs are from a Chilton’s manual. I hope this helps.

Good luck nanardos.

After the engine is warmed up, the vacuum advance disconnected and the engine idle speed set to 550 rpm (in drive) the timing should be 5 degrees before top dead center.
The distributor hold-down bolt should be tightened to 18 lb/ft.

These specs are from a Chilton’s manual. I hope this helps.

Good luck nanardos.
Keep in mind, the idle will not affect the timing whereas the timing will change the idle. So, set your timing first, then reconnect vacuum advance and adjust your idle last. :)

Kev

Keep in mind, the idle will not affect the timing whereas the timing will change the idle. So, set your timing first, then reconnect vacuum advance and adjust your idle last. :)

Kev
If the engine is idling too fast the distributors centrifugal advance may come into play and cause a false reading as does vacuum advance when vacuum is applied to the vacuum advance. That is the reason for setting the correct idle speed and disconnecting the vacuum advance line first before adjusting the timing.

If the engine is idling too fast the distributors centrifugal advance may come into play and cause a false reading as does vacuum advance when vacuum is applied to the vacuum advance. That is the reason for setting the correct idle speed and disconnecting the vacuum advance line first before adjusting the timing.
You make a good point, however wouldn't the engine have to running at a fairly moderate RPM for the centrifugal advance to affect? I dunno. I was assuming an idle range at or below 1,000 RPM.

Kev

Plus, I'm pretty sure that if the idle is above 1,000 RPM in a 472 it's gonna be noticeable. :o

Kev

You make a good point, however wouldn't the engine have to running at a fairly moderate RPM for the centrifugal advance to affect? I dunno. I was assuming an idle range at or below 1,000 RPM.

Kev
I don’t know if the mechanical advance starts below 1000 rpm in a ’68- 472 or not?

One could always connect a dwell-tach to the coil, disconnect the vacuum advance line, connect a timing light, start the engine and observe the timing marks under the timing light using one eye and the dwell-tach using the other eye as you increase the rpm until the strobe of the timing light indicates a timing change or advance then note the rpm at that time.

I normally attach the dwell-tach, timing light and vacuum gauge before any adjustments are made. I start by checking and if necessary adjusting in this order dwell angle, idle speed, timing and once again the idle if the timing needed an adjustment. I know this is all old school but that’s when I went to school. LoL.

I normally attach the dwell-tach, timing light and vacuum gauge before any adjustments are made. I start by checking and if necessary adjusting in this order dwell angle, idle speed, timing and once again the idle if the timing needed an adjustment. I know this is all old school but that’s when I went to school. LoL.
We may have gone to school about the same time. I found with the 327 in my old truck and the 350 in my old Camaro these to be the easiest steps for me;
1. rough in the point gap with a feeler gage.
2. dial the dwell in with a meter.
3. check and adjust the timing with the vacuum advance plugged.
4. replace vacuum and adjust the idle.
If I used this order I can't remeber having to readjust anything afterwards. It worked for me anyway. There are many ways, pick the one that works best for you.

Kev