i have a 1980 riviera with a 350 that runs a little rich. Which way do I turn the distributor to advance/retard the timing?
May 14, 2006 at 4:42 PM
1980 Buick Riviera Runs Rich
GMC
BEEDUBB3311
- MEMBER
- 5 POSTS
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I believe that you turn it counter-clockwise to advance and clockwise to retard, however I don't think this will have anything to do with your running rich. That is a fuel problem. Don't think that adjusting timing is gonna fix it. Good luck.
May 15, 2006 at 2:22 AM
I was always taught that if a car runs rich you could advance the timing to lean it out. I know I'm not the best with cars, and I am out of practice, but if it is a fuel problem, what would you suggest? (the fuel system consists of a tank, pump, and carburator)
May 15, 2006 at 5:15 AM
As far as I know, advancing timing might help burn off some excess fuel but will still foul plugs. Are you running a 4-barrel? Maybe you could go down one size on your pump nozzle and not get as big a shot of fuel.Or possibly go down on the jet size.If you have a stock motor it is real easy to over-carburate. That is, using a 750 cfm when maybe all you need is a 600cfm. I have a sb 350 bored .0010 over with a 268 cam and are running a holley 600cfm and get plenty of fuel. Sometimes trial and error is the only way to hit the right setup. Good luck. :D
May 15, 2006 at 9:11 PM
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Suggested Repair
Do not expect distributor timing to cure a rich condition. Treat it as a carburetor fuel issue: consider a smaller accelerator-pump nozzle, smaller jets, or a lower-CFM carburetor if the engine is over-carbureted, and tune by trial and error.
Conversation Summary
The owner of a 1980 Riviera with a 350 asked which way to turn the distributor to advance or retard timing because the engine runs rich. The expert said counterclockwise advances and clockwise retards, but timing will not fix a rich mixture and may still foul plugs. With a tank, pump, and carburetor, the expert suggested a smaller pump nozzle or jets, or a smaller carb such as 600 CFM instead of 750 CFM if the stock motor is over-carbureted.