So I have a 71 comet it runs amazing. It has a 250 inline 6. The only thing is im concerned about is the timing. The timing right now idles at 14° btdc then with vacume it goes up to about 16-18 cant tell because the marker only shows up to 14. However the valve cover shows that it should run at 6 degrees of advance. I made sure the timing mark is correct and hasnt slipped. I want to raise the timing up a few degrees more because it tends to run even better, but am nervous things are going to start going wrong. Anyone else run their 250 inline 6 this high? And do you think its safe to raise it a few more degrees? Only upgrades are dual headers, petronix module and coil. Heard these engines like timing but if they modified.
As long as it isn't pinging the more the merrier... I never run anything with less than 12-15* base timing, above that there could be hot starting issues... It would be good to know how much total timing it has... Can use the shade tree method and measure distance from 0-10, then use that measurement to add 20*, 30* & 40* marks...
Total timing is the highest number of timing it goes to with vacume? If so mine goes up to 16- maybe 20 max. And by pinging do you mean like a quarter falling? Because when i turn it on when its cold it sounds like a diesel not exactly like a diesel but a much more quieter one. But i think its just the rocker arms that are making the noise because of the little oil and once it warms up you have to really focus on the sound to even hear it.
Total timing is the amount of timing say at 3,000RPM. In order to determine total timing you would need to modify your balancer as Krazy Comet suggests or purchase a new balancer with timing marks to 40 or 50 degrees. Pinging would take place when the engine is under a load such as heavy acceleration, not at idle. The cold engine noise you describe seems normal. If you do not have a ping or a hot start issue, your timing should be fine.