460 timing question

[Matrix37495]

My 85 has a completely stock 460 with the timing currently set at 16° BTDC. The underhood sticker says it should be 8° BTDC. I tried looking on FTE in the BBF section but all i could find was performance builds with answers all over the place.

My question is this: should i set the timing to 8° or is slightly more advanced (around 10-12°) better?

I'm fighting a hesitation when i moderately accelerate. A friend of mine suggested ignition timing could be the problem. Truck has 54k on it, carb was rebuilt in '97 not a whole lot of miles ago......

 

[flareside_thun]

Advancing the timing will help with power and fuel economy. That's usually the first thing I change on a distributor engine. My Flareside called for 10* but I had it set at 16* it all depends on the vehicle really. Just bump it and drive it until you find the sweet spot on your truck.

 

[Matrix37495]

Any idea on the hesitation if the timing is in a good spot?

 

[flareside_thun]

Play with the timing a bit and see if you can't get the majority, if not all, the hesitation out of it. If not, I'd be looking at the carb.

 

[Matrix37495]

I didnt change the timing cause the dizzy is stuck. I did notice that there is gas leaking past the throttle shaft when the engine is off. I assume this is a bad vacuum leak with the engine running.

Could this be my hesitation?

 

[PackRat239]

Check the accelerator pump.

 

[Matrix37495]

I'm going to see about having the carb rebuilt because of the gas leaking pas the throttle shaft. The accel pump would be replaced at that time anyway.