RE: {Chrysler 300} Setting timing with transmission engaged?

What is described below will not hurt the transmission though it is rather brutish. The vacuum gauge method and by-ear method all work too - for experienced mechanics who don't or can't trust the dampers on 60+ year old engines. I was recently reminded of this.

The timing light including John's comments is the way to tune an engine. I am rarely persuaded by arguments against following manufacturer advice. If your damper is good I encourage everyone to use a light. The cars will run nice when set up the way Tech wrote it even today. The laws of physics have not changed yet.

-----Original Message-----
From: "Ray Melton" <rfmelton@xxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, January 4, 2022 2:42pm
To: "Dan300f" <dan300f@xxxxxxx>
Cc: "'300 Club'" <chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: {Chrysler 300} Setting timing with transmission engaged?

Like most of us, I had never heard of this method of setting timing. Isn't this pretty abusive to the transmission; i.e., burning the internal clutches? (At least, that's what my Dad always told me when I was learning to drive.)

Dan, did you ever record what the initial and total advance was after setting it the "old timer's" way? That way, you could re-set timing in the future with less stress on the transmission, and without the need for two people. If anyone in the Club is brave enough to replicate this timing method on either the 392 Hemi or 413, it would be very helpful to other members to record those advance numbers, both initial (~ 600 RPM) and total (~3500 RPM).

Ray Melton 300C cvt in New Mexico

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On 1/4/2022 8:42 AM, 'Dan300f' via Chrysler 300 Club International wrote:

Hi all:

A couple of years ago, I needed a tranny overhaul. At the time my F was running crappy and I could not find the correct timing to make it run right. The tranny shop manager, an old Mopar guy, told me to get in the car, set the parking brake, hold the foot brake, start the car, put it in drive and rev it up. He moved the distributor until he found the maximum rpm and tightened it down. "There, he said, that's how we timed them in the old days." He had me take it for a drive and when I got onto the street, I floored it. At the first upshift, I thought the car was going to turn itself upside down. Never had I seen so much power in that car. Still runs the same way and I am elated! The following week, I drove the car to the Club Meet north of San Francisco. Not only performed like an F is supposed to but my mileage increased from an average of 10-11 mpg to 12.5 mpg. And I usually don't let grass grow beneath my tires.

Dan Reitz.
Bell Canyon, CA

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In a message dated 1/3/2022 2:08:17 PM Pacific Standard Time, ronbo97@xxxxxxxxxxx writes:

Another way to set timing is to attach a vacuum gauge to the intake. Warm car up, then adjust timing until gauge reads 18" Hg at curb idle. Then take it for a drive. If it's still pinging, retard a bit and try again.

Ron

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