olds 350 ignition timing

[kifried]

I have a 72 Olds 350, which was completely rebuilt about 6 years ago. I'm going thru now and tuning it up, and getting it running again. I pulled a spark plug and it was solid black. I started it and it was running for a few minutes (with old plugs in) and it was backifiring severely and spitting up from the carb.

I'm guessing that replacing the plugs won't solve the backfiriing due to the severe black discoloration. Could this be attributed to the ignition timing?
What would be the proper timing set up??

Thanks, Ken

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

While the timing could contribute, my guess would be that the carburetor is out of adjustment or clogged from sitting. For timing, try something like 10 degrees initial with total at around 32-38 degrees. it may not be perfect there, but should run OK. I would also get a carb kit and rebuild it. Be sure to clean out all of the passages with carb cleaner. If it has been sitting for a long time, they will be gummed up. Also, be sure the plug wires are not bad due to corroded terminals, and the same goes for the distributor cap.

 

[kifried]

This could be me wrongly assuming but, wouldn't black spark plugs be an issue that has occured over time? So wouldn't that have been a prolonged issue that occured during the time the car was in regular use? Also, maybe the car was running too rich?

Is it difficult to rebuilt a carb, never done it before...?

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

Not terribly hard, it all depends on what kind of carburetor you have. Holley's are stupid easy, Quadrajets are a bit technical, but not too hard. Why, what kind of carb is it? Also, I was referring to the backfire as the problem. The plugs may point to a recent problem or an old one, depending on how bad they are. How long has it been sitting for? Years? Months?

 

[kifried]

I have a Edelbrock Performer (#1407).

The last time the car was daily driven was summer of 2003. It's been sitting on the driveway since then, started every now and again but for the most part neglected while I was away at college. So it's been sitting, for about 4 years.


Also, very random question. If I'm trying to remove the power steering pump, what is the best way to disconnect the lines? From the steering box or on the pump itself?

Thanks

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

Depends on the reason. Either side is OK if you want to reassemble the whole thing like it came out when you are done. Edelbrock carbs are not too hard to rebuild by yourself. I have rebuilt a few of them, and have not had to dismantle the throttle shafts on any of them, so it was straight forward. You should be able to just remove the baseplate and top plate and clean out all the gunk that is probably inside it.