|
how many of you are using locked distributors on your motors ?
debating whether or not I should lock the timing on the dist while I have the gear off before I put the motor back together
are any of you guys locking the timing on your boat motors ? 550 hp 454 carb motor with MSD dist thanks |
My MSD mechanical distributor is locked, but we are using the Crane ignition box that has advance curve options.
|
Same here..MSD locked using a Crane Box.. 572's 650HP
|
I have been running a locked out MSD distributor with a MSD box at 34degrees. I have had good luck with it, my boat idles better and has less soot on the transom. I just built a new motor and put the mechanical advance back in, the only reason I did that is I have heard that at midrange cruise speed there is too much timing and may get detonation. I would rather go back to the locked out distributor, I am just paranoid about damaging new motor.
|
I run locked..MSD distributor #34.. MSD Crank trigger and MSD digital 6 box with start retard turned on. pulling 20degrees out at startup.. MSD starter also..
|
it will clean up the idle, the more aggresive the cam the better it works, but sometimes may start hard when hot with the timing locked....gear reduction starters help there...Rob
|
I ran locked out for years... 32* timing, bigger roller cam. Always worked good. MSD dist. Now I run a crank trigger with a home made box to control the timing..
|
When I ran my timing locked at 34deg I broke the ring gear loose from the flywheel. I bought a retard box from msd with a signal stabilizer built in, retarded timing 20deg at startup and really helped the motor fire off easier. Also made it easier to set timing witht the stabilizer.
|
I run mine locked @ 36*, no retard box. I run a Tilton starter, never any issues.
|
I have also been running the locked advance. MSD Digital 6 has a function where it can automatically retard like 20 deg or so to start and stays retarded until 800 rpm. Works great! Also can take some of the total advance out .1 deg at time or in 1 deg increments, works above 2000 rpm. Makes running the timing locked in more manageable.
|
I Run 32 Total,locked Dist,540 Blower Motor,easy Starts,clean Idle,i Do The Same For Mt 572 Motor.
|
distributor locked is alot more for top end performance not so good for any crusing around, if your boat is heavy in the mid range you can run into detonation problems, all depends an your application/use
|
I have run locked timing for years. It's best for engines with a lot of cam duration. Most distributers are all in by 3000 rpm anyway and I never cruise below 3000. The extra timing helps your idle but it is hard on starters. I broke a lot of starters before getting MSD Starter Savers.
|
Originally Posted by mike tkach
(Post 2976602)
I Run 32 Total,locked Dist,540 Blower Motor,easy Starts,clean Idle,i Do The Same For Mt 572 Motor.
|
After I did take a look at the timing at higher rpms and found out that the timing retards even with a locked out distributor... It retarded maybe 2-3deg from idle to 3500rpm.
I searched on the internet and found this on another forum: FYI for Racers who run MSD ignitions. We run an MSD distributor and an MSD 7 box and have seen it retard up to 6 degrees over 5000 rpm. We tested the distributor on a distributor machine and it confirmed that it was advancing all by itself after 5000 rpm(FYI - our distributor was locked out). Our mechanic said that he had seen this before. We went and bought a brand new dual pick up MSD distributor and tested it on the distributor machine, it lost 5 degrees on one pick up and 4 degrees on the other. We were thinking/hoping that a crank trigger system may stop this but we've been told that isn't necessarily true. The following are what we've been told on another forum The term hysteresis is often used to discribe the effect. What this means is the circuit operation in one direction won't be the same going in the oppisite direction. In this case you see a distortion resulting in a curve instead of a linear function with time and rpm. I have also saw it in simple magneto systems. The cause is the parts and circuit inability to do the same function in respect to time interval where magnetics and rise time are involved. Indeed a parts selection and testing can minimize this effect. There are some engine combinations that can use some retard at high rpm, for various reasons but that gets into advance curve as opposed to the ignition it'self retarding as an unintended action.. Also: at higher rpms you will see a retard condition even with a crank trigger. some of the newer digital msd boxes have a mag compensation circuit where an adjustment can be made to allow for the retard. it was explained to me that it was an inherent thing with manet triggered devices. the amount of retard is rpm dependant and gets worse the higher the rpm. the 7531 digital 7 box has a automatic mag-comp circuit and cannot be adjusted |
yup locked at 34 i run an HEI no box
|
I run Pertronix that has limiters to stop the weights. Their 12 degree limiters were 15 degree advance so I bent them and now only advance 9 degrees. This is not far from just being locked. Starts fine w/standard marine starter.
|
Originally Posted by Mr Gadgets
(Post 2976298)
I ran locked out for years... 32* timing, bigger roller cam. Always worked good. MSD dist. Now I run a crank trigger with a home made box to control the timing..
|
| All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:04 PM. |
Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.