ignition · FF-0456

Will an ARDUN Flathead with timing locked at 26 degrees be hard to start?

Steve thinks it will start at 26. Barry asks whether running less advance at start-up is just to make starting easier, and Steve says usually; on modern cars the vacuum advance adds timing when the engine is not under load and drops it back under load. He says the ARDUN likes around 26, which is not too much; a small block is more like 32 or 34, and locked at 34 it might be a little harder to start. With his current setting it started fine that morning.

Expert

Steve Coppock

Evidence

expert attributed

Component

locked timing and starting

Applicable scope

Ford Flathead V8 with ARDUN overhead valve heads, Steve Coppock's engine of about 289 cubic inches, on a home run stand before the dyno