RE: {Chrysler 300} Setting timing with transmission engaged?

Here in CA, smog/emissions tests are generally run under load with a small dyno having to be installed at every smog shop. Most data is sent directly to that great computer in the cloud in Sacramento. Cost is $60-$80-some of which goes to the state. These shops don’t make much money on the test.. Passing the tests is required every other year before registration can be renewed. Tests are run at idle and at various loads.

Now CA is looking at viewing/sniffing Diesel exhaust at highway overpasses. Big Brother wants to know.

Point being, measuring an engine’s performance is best done under load. Certainly, race car engines are tweaked on the dyno for best overall performance. I think Carl K. would test all of his hemi’s on dyno’s, put the best engine in the best chassis and assign it to his best driver. True leadership. Now all the racers do this. Much easier with computer control of the necessary combustion elements of air, fuel & spark.

Thinking back, an accessory item was offered from J.C. Whitney that enabled one to mechanically advance or retard the distributor by dialing a little knob under the dash. Early computers were between the ears and still are today in this group as noted in this interesting thread. Happy New Year.

Rich B. in CA. Overcast and 56F @ 2:45 PST.

From: chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf Of Ryan Hill
Sent: Tuesday, January 4, 2022 1:12 PM
To: Ray Melton <rfmelton@xxxxxxx>
Cc: Dan300f <dan300f@xxxxxxx>; 300 Club <chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: {Chrysler 300} Setting timing with transmission engaged?

Putting an engine under load when making adjustments always made sense to me and usually provided the best results, as Dan describes. I use all the tools I have available and set my timing with a light to get it in the ballpark. Timing, Vacuum, dwell, idle speed..repeat. Then final tweaking in gear under load.....this doesn’t hurt the transmission any more than climbing a hill or towing....or letting some smoke out of the tires.

With my boat I had the luxury of making adjustments to my marine engine while running under load at any speed I chose. I would adjust the timing by turning the Mallory dual point until the engine was smooth and crisp, I could hear and feel the sweet spot. Then I’d set the idle, confirm dwell and vacuum, and enjoy. This ALWAYS worked better than setting it up on the trailer and I noted it never ran very well at all when within recommended specs.

Ryan Hill

On Jan 4, 2022, at 11:43 AM, Ray Melton <rfmelton@xxxxxxx> wrote:

Like most of us, I had never heard of this method of setting timing. Isn't this pretty abusive to the transmission; i.e., burning the internal clutches? (At least, that's what my Dad always told me when I was learning to drive.)
Dan, did you ever record what the initial and total advance was after setting it the "old timer's" way? That way, you could re-set timing in the future with less stress on the transmission, and without the need for two people. If anyone in the Club is brave enough to replicate this timing method on either the 392 Hemi or 413, it would be very helpful to other members to record those advance numbers, both initial (~ 600 RPM) and total (~3500 RPM).
Ray Melton 300C cvt in New Mexico
**********************************************************
On 1/4/2022 8:42 AM, 'Dan300f' via Chrysler 300 Club International wrote:
Hi all:

A couple of years ago, I needed a tranny overhaul. At the time my F was running crappy and I could not find the correct timing to make it run right. The tranny shop manager, an old Mopar guy, told me to get in the car, set the parking brake, hold the foot brake, start the car, put it in drive and rev it up. He moved the distributor until he found the maximum rpm and tightened it down. "There, he said, that's how we timed them in the old days." He had me take it for a drive and when I got onto the street, I floored it. At the first upshift, I thought the car was going to turn itself upside down. Never had I seen so much power in that car. Still runs the same way and I am elated! The following week, I drove the car to the Club Meet north of San Francisco. Not only performed like an F is supposed to but my mileage increased from an average of 10-11 mpg to 12.5 mpg. And I usually don't let grass grow beneath my tires.

Dan Reitz.
Bell Canyon, CA
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
In a message dated 1/3/2022 2:08:17 PM Pacific Standard Time, ronbo97@xxxxxxxxxxx writes:

Another way to set timing is to attach a vacuum gauge to the intake. Warm car up, then adjust timing until gauge reads 18" Hg at curb idle. Then take it for a drive. If it's still pinging, retard a bit and try again.

Ron

--
For archives go to http://www.forwardlook.net/300-archive/search.htm#querylang
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Chrysler 300 Club International" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to chrysler-300-club-international+unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/chrysler-300-club-international/751904393.607476.1641247693353%40connect.xfinity.com.

--
For archives go to http://www.forwardlook.net/300-archive/search.htm#querylang
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Chrysler 300 Club International" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to chrysler-300-club-international+unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/chrysler-300-club-international/198002942.1473991.1641310965382%40mail.yahoo.com.
--
For archives go to http://www.forwardlook.net/300-archive/search.htm#querylang
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Chrysler 300 Club International" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to chrysler-300-club-international+unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/chrysler-300-club-international/PH0PR02MB8615064C1A6152690F186C40C04A9%40PH0PR02MB8615.namprd02.prod.outlook.com.

--
For archives go to http://www.forwardlook.net/300-archive/search.htm#querylang
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Chrysler 300 Club International" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to chrysler-300-club-international+unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/chrysler-300-club-international/MW3PR16MB3932AF0765E000692BB11A33C54A9%40MW3PR16MB3932.namprd16.prod.outlook.com.