Can you adjust timing with vacuum?
Vacuum Engine Timing | MILEPOSTS Garage (Tech Tips) Try timing your engine using this vacuum method. Many feel this is the easiest, most reliable way to tune an old engine running on today’s lower octane, no lead fuels… Older engines can’t always be tuned or adjusted per their original guidelines.
What should timing be with vacuum advance?
Ideally, the timing now should be somewhere around 34 to 36 degrees to total advance. With 34 degrees of total mechanical advance and 14 degrees initial timing, you have 20 degrees of mechanical advance—14 + 20 = 34.

How much vacuum should a SBC have?
The engine should snap right back to a steady 17- 21″hg vacuum. Steady low between 5-10″hg vacuum: This indicates that the engine has a leak in the intake manifold or the intake gasket.
Should vacuum advance work at idle?
Carbureted engines with long-duration cams will benefit the most from vacuum advance. If your engine idles at 10 inches Hg or less, you can start the tuning process by setting the initial timing to at least 15 degrees BTDC.
Does vacuum advance affect total timing?
This improves throttle response and makes the engine more efficient. It also helps the engine run cooler. The vacuum advance provides this benefit BEFORE the Mechanical Advance provides Total Timing.

Is engine vacuum highest at idle?
Remember these guidelines when using a vacuum gauge on gasoline engines. 1) At idle, the more vacuum the better. 2) The highest manifold vacuum will be on deceleration. 3) A closed throttle will create more vacuum than an open throttle.
Will low compression cause low vacuum?
Low compression, an intake leak or tight valves also can cause low vacuum at idle. If the vacuum reading fluctuates within the normal range or the gauge needle bounces around a lot, suspect uneven compression (broken rings or leaking valves or a leaking head gasket in one or two cylinders).
Can an engine have too much vacuum?
Excessive crankcase under-pressure, (vacuum) can occur if the fresh air inlet becomes restricted or the wrong PCV valve is used.
Can timing cause low vacuum?
A vacuum reading at idle that is much lower than normal might indicate leakage through the intake manifold gaskets, manifold to carburetor gaskets, vacuum brake booster or the vacuum modulator. Low readings could also be caused by very late valve timing or worn piston rings.
Can tight valves cause low vacuum?
Should there be vacuum in valve cover?
Vacuum is high at idle, which is most likely where the engine is at when you pulled the cap. However, if the crankcase ventilation system is working the way it’s supposed to, there shouldn’t be a vacuum or much pressure build up unless the engine is badly worn.
How much vacuum should a crankcase have?
This is a range of -7 to 10 millibar, well below the specification for this engine which is -30 millibar, plus or minus 5 millibar. If there is less vacuum in the crankcase, this would be an over-pressure condition which means air is leaking into the crankcase.
Should you run vacuum advance?
Plugging your vacuum advance into a direct source will allow it to engage at idle, which is good for a number of reasons. Much like cruise conditions, engines run leaner at idle than they do under load. Again, this means the mixture burns slower and needs an earlier spark to optimize the burn.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rB5xrOi991o