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Crowbarman55

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Engine: 350 GM creat (290 hp).
Distributor: Mallory Unilight vac advance
I put a vacuum gauge to full manifold vacuum just to see what was going on and the vac gauge won't hold steady. It's not much movement but not steady. Gauge reads 15 hg showing late ing. timing. So I tried adjusting the timing. every time I move the distributor one way or the other the engine runs rough no matter how much I move the distributor. I tried compensating with idle mixture screws made no difference. Any thoughts on what could be going on? I should be able to turn the distributor and the engine not run rough. Thanks
Todd
 
#3 ·
Todd....What carburetor do you have on the engine?
 
#5 ·
Crowbarman55 said:
Engine: 350 GM creat (290 hp).
Distributor: Mallory Unilight vac advance
I put a vacuum gauge to full manifold vacuum just to see what was going on and the vac gauge won't hold steady. It's not much movement but not steady. Gauge reads 15 hg showing late ing. timing. So I tried adjusting the timing. every time I move the distributor one way or the other the engine runs rough no matter how much I move the distributor. I tried compensating with idle mixture screws made no difference. Any thoughts on what could be going on? I should be able to turn the distributor and the engine not run rough. Thanks
Todd
Click to expand...
Sounds electrical to me.
 
#9 ·
How old is the distributor? Check the cap and rotor as well. I am leaning toward something electrical. Check plug wires as stated before. And also distributor electrical connections. Make sure there is no binding of the wires when you rotate the dizzy.
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
Distributor is 11 years old. Could be time for a new one. I can't fit a HEI. And Mallory is not around any more. Any suggestions on a good reliable distributor? Need vacuum advance. Points are NOT a option for me. I will get new plug wires and check all wires first. But still thinking I want a new one. Todd
 
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