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  #1  
Old 08-23-2008, 06:30 PM
pjmopar pjmopar is offline
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Default Need help with timing

Hey guys I've come across something that I have no idea on what to do!
I just installed the ignition system from FBO. At idle the timing light will not work!? The light will start working around 2,000 rpm. I am waiting for a buddy to bring his light to see if he's will work, but I thought maybe one of y'all would know the answer.
The engine is a 71 383.
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Old 08-24-2008, 12:41 AM
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rumblefish360 rumblefish360 is offline
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WOW! Thats weird. I have an FBO in my Dodge w/a 400. I do not have this problem. What wires are you running? Are they very thick in diameter. The thick insulation could be the issue.
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Old 08-24-2008, 12:56 AM
pjmopar pjmopar is offline
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I'm running the Accel 300 wires, but I didn't have this problem when I was using the Mallory dual point dist.
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Old 08-24-2008, 10:16 AM
peg leg peg leg is offline
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Default Voltage

The FBO system has much higher secondary voltage. I wonder if your light blocks the spike, which diminishes with rpm? Coil saturation at higher rpm lowers the voltage spike value.
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Old 08-24-2008, 03:29 PM
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cageman cageman is offline
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On my race car, I have big thick wires with lots of insulation, I have to put a cheap wire on to time it, try that.
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Old 08-24-2008, 11:06 PM
pjmopar pjmopar is offline
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As I stated before, I did not have any trouble before I installed the FBO system and I am using the same wires. Would a lack of vacuum cause this problem?
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Old 08-25-2008, 09:24 PM
dave5711 dave5711 is offline
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I can't see vacuum having anything to do with it. Vacuum doesn't affect your spark voltage.

Do you have the coil primary wires backwards perhaps?

I've used and sold lots of FBO stuff, and never had a problem with anything except ballast resistors.

There could be something wrong with it, but that's a really weird problem to have.

I have also seen where the air gap on the reluctor is out of wack from a bump during shipping, so that would also be a good thing to check too.
Verify your ecu ground is good also. With electronic, that's where your coil grounds now,
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Old 08-27-2008, 01:08 PM
pjmopar pjmopar is offline
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Here is the latest update: The engine sounds like it is cross-firing. Carb will backfire and when placed in gear will die. Called Don (@FBO) he said that I am getting the right amount of voltage-so it is not the ECU Box. He said if it was the box the car would not start. Since the plugs were black (sooty) I am going to install new plugs and see if that works. I want to think everyone for your input please keep them coming. I'll keep y'all posted.
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Old 08-27-2008, 10:02 PM
mauve66 mauve66 is offline
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does the light your using have advance capabilities??? sounds like you've got the initial and mechanical in the light dial already and its waiting for the vacucm advance to start around 2000 rpm and all in by 2800 rpm, been at least 4 years since i've been here and even longer since i've timed an engine, just my .02
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Old 08-28-2008, 10:30 AM
pjmopar pjmopar is offline
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well I installed new plugs (Autolite 85s) engine runs great! Why did they get so black to begin with? I did learn a few things. I still cannot get over how my timing light would not work with the clamp next to the plug, but worked fine when it was placed next to the dist.
I hope that maybe this will help someone when they're tuning their car. Thanks again for everone's input.
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