1978 Cutlass 305 5.0 Timing

[GHobbit13]

Good evening,
After some work has been put into the engine I was having issues getting the engine to turn over. I was able to pin point the issue and found the ICM (ignition control module) was bad. I got the part coming in this week and will be getting it installed. If and when I get the engine to turn over, I would like to check and confirm the timing of engine is correct. I been doing my homework on the timing for engine. If I'm correct, we should be running between 8-10 degrees BTDC. I just want to confirm that this is correct. Also, if the engine still doesn't turn over, what else would cause it not to turn over? When I first got the car and drove it, the engine would bog out or die out. What should I be looking for to cause this issue?
Thanks in advance!

 

[78Delta88]

Typical would be about 14 BTDC, but if you start at 8-10 it will start as long as no other issues. You might find 10-12 will be the sweet spot, every car is different.

Being a 78 you should have the vacuum can on the distributor, pull the line off temporarily and cap the port that is now open.

Install the new module make sure to use the heat paste before installing. Check the two small wires going to the pickup. Those frequently break and will cause a "crank no start" condition.

On the bog issues the most common cause is the carburator. Do you know if you have 2 barrel or 4 barrel?

 

[bracketchev1221]

You'll be fine where you want to start. As long as its advanced before top dead center you are ok.. There were some cars that showed 0 as base timing.

 

[Ernest]

Just out of curiousity, what work exactly was put into the engine... gasket refresh, reworked cylinder heads, camshaft swap, aluminum intake, total stock rebuild?

 

[78Delta88]

I always get concerned when I hear something to the effect of..., "lots of work"..., "and wont start...".

 

[spongbob]

Think about it at that crank speed 10 static because it is about 0 tdc fire ( duratipn)travel wise it will ignite at say the 10 befor but reach full push from 0 for a few more degrees, am I not right?..obviously when the motor starts rpms go up and advance/"de-vance come onto action",( centrifical/ vacuume/ newer units pc advance but nobody gets away from the tdc factor...,de-vance means retard...aside from timing spark I'm suggesting cold new motors can tolerate quit a bit of fuel seems like about 3 tablespoons each firing / start attemps just pour some gas into the carb right befor cranking hope you get it going soon