FINALLY - Vacuum Advance Dilemma Solved

[SuperHart]

Note to Stallion, not to begin beating this issue another time, but 29* of advance (vacuum plus initial) at idle is too much. The Crane vacuum cannister is usually adjustable with a small allen wrench that came with the cannister kit (3/32" maybe?). To adjust your total advance at idle, use the timing light with the vacuum advance plugged in, not blocked off. Blocked off will measure only your initial advance (that which you dial in by turning the distributor). The advance with the vacuum plugged in will be your total advance at idle. This should be around 18-20* . As previously noted, as your total advance at idle increases so does your idle speed. The centrifugal advance usually doesn't begin to kick in until above 1500 RPM so keep that in mind. Repeatedly disconnect and plug the vacuum line at the cannister and adjust the vacuum advance with the allen wrench until your total advance at idle is reduced to the 18-20* mark. You may have to increase the idle speed screw on the carb before you achieve the correct advance setting (as you decrease vacuum advance, the idle speed may drop). To recap, check your initial advance at idle with the vacuum cannister disconnected (usually 6-10* for Ford engines) and then check your total advance at idle with the vacuum cannister connected. Always make sure when adjusting the vacuum advance that the vacuum hose from the cannister is plugged (a golf tee is excellent for this purpose) and repeatedly check after each adjustment until the desired advance is achieved. Then make a final idle speed adjustment on the carb and re-adjust your idle mix screws if needed to get a smooth idle.