Stock 350
 

Been playing with the 64 SS Impala today. I had problems with it running ok then not so much. I have set the timing I don't know how many times on it. I keep setting it at 8* BTDC with vacuum plugged off.

It will idle just fine. It will drive just fine for several days. Then it's like somebody moves the timing on it. Not much but enough to make it sputter when you give it the gas while driving it. I just finished setting it again. I'm wondering if it is the hold down bolt? I tighten it down good but don't want to strip the threads since it's aluminum intake. It's like 1-2 degree off each time.

Could it be the springs maybe in the dizzy? Give me some idea's I really want to get this straight before I sell it.:chevy:

Re: Stock 350
 

Is it 1 to 2 degrees retarded when you check it. A loose distributor will rotate clockwise when loose.
Is this a points distributor?
What’s the idle rpm when hot?

Re: Stock 350
 

I helped a friend with one and his was similar issue. Problem with his was the distributor hold down seemed to be soft metal and it would flex and slowly bend thus allowing the distributor to work loose and get the timing off. Found and old hold down clamp in my stash and it worked good after that.

Re: Stock 350
 

I too had similar problems like that and changed to a old style dist. clamp,also check the clamp is fully on the dist.,had that problem too ,couldn,t see that only one ear of the hold down clamp was touching the dist. Kinda hard to see back there sometimes.

Re: Stock 350
 

HEI no points. Yea it always seems to be retarded.

The hold down is what was on it when we bought it a chrome hold down! This maybe it then. I will get a stock one and try it. Thanks guy's.:chevy:

Re: Stock 350
 

I had a car that had the advance weights sticking in a slightly advanced position and throwing off my settings. I doubt that the hold-down bolt is the culprit. Lube the weight pivot points (carefully). -BA

Re: Stock 350
 

Mark it with a couple paint dots after you try out the new hold down to see if that was it for sure.

Re: Stock 350
 

Good idea Jesse.:chevy:

Re: Stock 350
 

Had a 292 that was doing the same thing untill it finally wouldn't run well at all. Ended up being the gear on the distributor was moving .

Re: Stock 350
 

Use a stud and nut instead of a hold down bolt.
The stud will fully engage the threads of the aluminum intake and prevent stripping the threads.