[PontGuy]

Originally Posted by rohrt

I wouldn't be all that concerned with factory specs. My tempest won't hardly run with the factory spec of 6 deg BTDC initial. I have set for 14-18 and it runs 200% better. Different gas today, carb and unknown part all bets are off IMO.

And you can add the fact that different distributors came with different curves depending on application (and they have often been swapped out too.) That's why I like to start out backwards and set the all-in first. 34-36 deg is almost always close to right for a performance 400. Then see where that puts the base timing. Once you know where the base timing is then you shouldn't have to check the all-in again unless you mess around with the distributor internals.

Just make sure that you get it right- agree with all the comments about remembering to remove the vacuum hose, make double-sure you are connected to #1 cylinder (front right) etc. And be safe! I shut down, make adjustments, and re-check. Yes tightening can throw it off. Just have to fiddle with it.

Oh and yes, agree that moving the air cleaner should not affect the idle. Another thing that could cause this is if the bottom base plate is tightening down on the carb linkage somewhere. This is a common with Q-jets and some aftermarket air cleaners where the base can hit the top of the accelerator pump lever. So you need to figure this out too.

I am 6'3 so I didn't fit in the Viper well at all. And I don't think it could be very comfortable for anyone. The seat is set a weird angle too, to make room for the trans tunnel. But if I could have gotten my friend's Viper for only 30K it would be sitting in my garage now.

[Darth Menace]

Originally Posted by PontGuy

And you can add the fact that different distributors came with different curves depending on application (and they have often been swapped out too.) That's why I like to start out backwards and set the all-in first. 34-36 deg is almost always close to right for a performance 400. Then see where that puts the base timing. Once you know where the base timing is then you shouldn't have to check the all-in again unless you mess around with the distributor internals.

Just make sure that you get it right- agree with all the comments about remembering to remove the vacuum hose, make double-sure you are connected to #1 cylinder (front right) etc. And be safe! I shut down, make adjustments, and re-check. Yes tightening can throw it off. Just have to fiddle with it.

Oh and yes, agree that moving the air cleaner should not affect the idle. Another thing that could cause this is if the bottom base plate is tightening down on the carb linkage somewhere. This is a common with Q-jets and some aftermarket air cleaners where the base can hit the top of the accelerator pump lever. So you need to figure this out too.

I am 6'3 so I didn't fit in the Viper well at all. And I don't think it could be very comfortable for anyone. The seat is set a weird angle too, to make room for the trans tunnel. But if I could have gotten my friend's Viper for only 30K it would be sitting in my garage now.

There are guys as tall/taller than with Vipers. Just get a 2 inch seat lowering kit, and adjust the seat/pedals accordingly. The Viper is built like me...for speed, not comfort .

Anyway, I will get around to the car later today with a video if that helps. I haven't been taking it as easy as I am suppose to after my surgery, so waking up in pain today sucked. I am not sure crouching underneath the dash to fix the cluster helped any either. I have to do car stuff in small chunks if I want to heal at all.