TA290-08H Timing?

[Lin,s GS]

290-08h,455, 10-1,Quadrajet @Stinger S-4 This combo Idles best at 30* but it wont start when hot so I put in the limiter bushing got the lightest springs I could find and welded washers to the weights that has it idling at 28*then climbing to 34* before the S-4 starts backing it down. all was fine during break in, it doesnt idle good but Ive learned to live with it and seems to run beyond my expectations under 4500rpm. This weekend i got 2000miles on it and unleashed the beast when I hit 5000rpm it started stumbling I hit 2nd and It was back to 5000rpm and stumble, hit 3rd and fine again. I backed total timing back to 30*( refusing to idle) took it out again and the stumble was not near as bad but it didnt pull as hard, is anyone out there running this or similar cam and what do you do with your timing? I think it would be happy locked at 31-32* but it wont start when hot. I would appreciate any thoughts.
Thanks Lin

[LARRY70GS]

290-08h,455, 10-1,Quadrajet @Stinger S-4 This combo Idles best at 30* but it wont start when hot so I put in the limiter bushing got the lightest springs I could find and welded washers to the weights that has it idling at 28*then climbing to 34* before the S-4 starts backing it down. all was fine during break in, it doesnt idle good but Ive learned to live with it and seems to run beyond my expectations under 4500rpm. This weekend i got 2000miles on it and unleashed the beast when I hit 5000rpm it started stumbling I hit 2nd and It was back to 5000rpm and stumble, hit 3rd and fine again. I backed total timing back to 30*( refusing to idle) took it out again and the stumble was not near as bad but it didnt pull as hard, is anyone out there running this or similar cam and what do you do with your timing? I think it would be happy locked at 31-32* but it wont start when hot. I would appreciate any thoughts.
Thanks Lin


What is your fuel system like? Sure it isn't running out of fuel at higher RPM's? That cam will want at least 25* at idle. You may have to get the distributor reworked so that it has very little mechanical advance. Or, buy an MSD(fire it with the Stinger Distributor) with a crank retard. The MSD Digital 6 (The box I run) has a selectable 20* start retard. You could run locked out timing of 36*, and it would start at 16*

[Lin,s GS]

Im using a Mallory comp pump 110 (15 years old) with matching regulator OH MAN i bet my fuel filter is 15yrs old to and it sat with stale gas for 2yrs which I drained with the pump, thats gotta be it. Thanks for taking my one track mind off timing, I will get a filter and check the pressure tomorrow. I will order a MSD digital 6, I wasnt sure it would work with the stinger dist.
Thanks Lin

[LARRY70GS]

Im using a Mallory comp pump 110 (15 years old) with matching regulator OH MAN i bet my fuel filter is 15yrs old to and it sat with stale gas for 2yrs which I drained with the pump, thats gotta be it. Thanks for taking my one track mind off timing, I will get a filter and check the pressure tomorrow. I will order a MSD digital 6, I wasnt sure it would work with the stinger dist.
Thanks Lin

The Stinger distributor will fire any MSD Box. It is a magnetic pickup distributor. All you need to do is buy this MSD connector and it will plug right into the MSD box.
http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?lang=-1&catalogId=10002&storeId=10001&categoryId=17461&searchItemId=31691

Clip off the stinger connector on the distributor side, then replace with the MSD connector. The only trick is getting the polarity right. There should be a green paint mark on the stinger connector and wire that indicates +. On the MSD box side, the Violet wire is +, the Green is -. If you hook it up backwards, the engine will run with very advanced timing just reverse it.

[Lin,s GS]

Thanks for the info. on the MSD. I changed the fuel filter and tested the pressure its just under 7lbs, after the regulator. I set my timing to 36* total and took it out, same problem it starts cutting out at 5100rpm (noticably worse in first than second) Im still using the factory fuel line could that be to small? or could my floats be to low? This is the same fuel system that worked fine on my old 118 engine (best run 13.01@104 on radials) but This engine definantly wants more fuel. Fred Catlin built this carb for the 118 16yrs ago and I havent done anything to it but cut the primary metering rod spring and put in thinner secondary metering rods. When I shift at 5000rpm the car doesnt mind if this came in 700rpm later I wouldnt even notice the problem, to be honest I dont know what rpm this cam likes to be shifted at but I think its at least 5700rpm.
I really appreciate the help!
Lin

[LARRY70GS]

Thanks for the info. on the MSD. I changed the fuel filter and tested the pressure its just under 7lbs, after the regulator. I set my timing to 36* total and took it out, same problem it starts cutting out at 5100rpm (noticably worse in first than second) Im still using the factory fuel line could that be to small? or could my floats be to low? This is the same fuel system that worked fine on my old 118 engine (best run 13.01@104 on radials) but This engine definantly wants more fuel. Fred Catlin built this carb for the 118 16yrs ago and I havent done anything to it but cut the primary metering rod spring and put in thinner secondary metering rods. When I shift at 5000rpm the car doesnt mind if this came in 700rpm later I wouldnt even notice the problem, to be honest I dont know what rpm this cam likes to be shifted at but I think its at least 5700rpm.
I really appreciate the help!
Lin

You need to monitor the fuel pressure when it is stumbling. Set up a gauge and line and tape it to the windshield. Then take it out for a beating. Watch the pressure. Does it fall below 4 psi? Are you using a dual plane intake? What did you have before?

[Lin,s GS]

Im using the same Edelbrock performer but I ported it and cut the divider down under the secondarys following directions I found on this site last winter I made a 1" wooden spacer I havent put on yet. I will put on a T and check the pressure again tomorrow night. When I put the engine together the intake leaked and I had to have it shaved, sealing good now but vacume is still lower than id like to see I forget exactly what it is but I will check it tomorrow to.
Thanks
Lin

[69GS400s]

I've got that cam and it'll pull straight through 6000 ... but my rev limiter wont let it. In fact, from 5000 ->6000 is where my setup really wakes up BIGTIME compared to my last build

[Lin,s GS]

I got a T and got the guage on my windshield, but before I did I put the guage straight on the pump and it only put out 7lbs another thing I noticed the pump useto made noise when you turned the key and quieted down when the lines got pressure now its not as loud iniataly and never quiets down. Now its raining but I think were on the right track if the rain stops ill drive it to work tomorrow (cant complain about the rain its been dry here in Missouri).
Ive waited 2000miles to see how this engine runs over 5000rpm I know everybody else breaks em in at the track but my machinest actually listened to me this time and this one is tight.
Thanks for the input
Lin

P.S. After reading an article in a magazine I have been running this engine on Rotella diesel motor oil, so far so good, any thoughts?

[Lin,s GS]

I had to go out of town, so I just tested my fuel pressure tonight, its 3psi when its stumbling looks like Im in for a new pump. Is there a paticular pump you reccomend?
Thanks
Lin

[69GS400s]

The Mallory 140 should be a direct bolt-in for the 110 ... Its what I have run for 7 previous years and I just relaced the original with a fresh one starting for this year mainly for piece of mind as i routinely put on several thousand miles a year. I've been carrying the new one in the trunk for a few years....

Im running 1/2" line everywhere but from inside the tank and have a holley 1000HP sitting ontop an SP1 intake with ported Alum. heads. I've never checked the pressure during a run but its pulling like a frieght train through 6K. JW did have concerns that the 140 pump may be holding me up a bit and said its not something you would know from feel but only by the #'s.

I say this for you to use as a comparison

[Lin,s GS]

On my trip out of town I came home with a 70skylark parts car (probably shouldnt have drug it home) a perfect 71 d.s door and a set of weld drag stars, sat down and ordered a MSD digital 6+ My wife is MAD at me already and seems to think the generic pump would do just fine, let me know if you think that would be a mistake.
Some people just dont appreciate fine yard art.
Thanks
Lin