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Technical => Spud Miller's Cave => Topic started by: Pipe Dreams on June 05, 2014, 03:52:08 AM

Title: How much spark advance with alcohol?
Post by: Pipe Dreams on June 05, 2014, 03:52:08 AM
Hey Guy's,  Just started playing with the timing after switching to alcohol, add was wondering where you are at. C hecked the timing after switching to alcohol end of last yr , and was at 28  degrees. 8)Bumped it up to 36 this last weekend and did' t see any marked change.  Plugs looked good, 2 treads and witness mark on the corner of the strap. Any thoughts? My combo is a 415 sb mopar with Indy alum.  heads, 12.8:1 CR with a . 590 flat tappet cam and an enderle dual toilet on a tunnel ram.
Title: Re: How much spark advance with alcohol?
Post by: Spud Miller on June 05, 2014, 06:23:28 AM

 Generally, naturally aspirated on methanol, people end up about 36-38 degrees for best performance but that does vary. Better performance might come in the form of an extra MPH or two and not change ET much at all. I'm surprised that moving from 28 to 36 you didn't notice a good change. I would run the least amount of timing you have to in order to get the best performance. Throw back what doesn't benefit you.

 When running timing in the 20's, the usual complaints are that EGT's are high but the plugs aren't colored yet, it won't burn much fuel and/or performance is sluggish.

 Spud
Title: Re: How much spark advance with alcohol?
Post by: dreracecar on June 05, 2014, 10:38:30 AM
Go 3 threads
Title: Re: How much spark advance with alcohol?
Post by: GlennLever on June 14, 2014, 05:56:57 PM

 Generally, naturally aspirated on methanol, people end up about 36-38 degrees for best performance but that does vary. Better performance might come in the form of an extra MPH or two and not change ET much at all. I'm surprised that moving from 28 to 36 you didn't notice a good change. I would run the least amount of timing you have to in order to get the best performance. Throw back what doesn't benefit you.

 When running timing in the 20's, the usual complaints are that EGT's are high but the plugs aren't colored yet, it won't burn much fuel and/or performance is sluggish.

 Spud

Interesting, I'm running 28 degrees and seeing just what you described, no color in the plugs and high EGT's.

When I get home I'll send an email with some questions, I want to change the tune up a little
Title: Re: How much spark advance with alcohol?
Post by: slingshot383 on June 17, 2014, 03:53:34 AM
If you are fat (rich), you could be burning fuel in the pipes, giving a false high EGT.  My engine (BB MOPAR) liked a couple more degrees timing on alcohol over what it liked on gas.
Title: Re: How much spark advance with alcohol?
Post by: Curly1 on July 01, 2014, 07:16:57 PM
I do not think the fuel selection is as big of a factor in timing needed as chamber and piston design is. A more efficient piston and chamber needs less timing. I agree with staying a few degrees conservative on the timing. Plus there may be other variables. Your timing light or marks may be off a few degrees so you really need to run it and see what works best on your combination.