hello i have a 400 small block. 9.2:1 cr, stock heads, magnum 280 cam, edelbrock headers, performer rpm manifold, 600 edelbrock carb, and stock hei. My problem is that my starter won't spin my engine over at all when i advance it to make it run good. I havent hit it with a timing light, but i retard it so it will spin over freely(i even put a cut off switch to my coil) and it misses under wot. So while it is running, i advance it a tad, and it runs fine, but when i shut it off and go back to start it, it spins about one revolution then just stops, so i have to back it off just a tad, and it spins over again. I know it isn't a hot start problem, because i have a remote mount starter, and even when it is pretty cool, it will do this. What causes this, and will a high torque starter resolve my problems? thanks

Sounds like you need to "map" your centrifugal advance curve to see if it's working; if it goes flat at high rpm at the only setting where it'll start, there's something wrong with the advance curve. graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Most definately! If you find yourself having to back the timing off too far consider a vacuum advance with adjustable rate and stroke connected to manifold vacuum. Any chance you have a mix-up between your harmonic dampner and the timing pointer. It's common to mix those parts and end up several degrees off from where you think zero is.

it's easy and free to make sure you have a good battery and good connections, as well as a good starter. if all that's up to par, then try the vacuum advance hooked up to full manifold vacuum and set the timing to where it runs best. this way, when it is cranking, it has no vacuum and thus less timing. when it starts, the vacuum advances to timing to where it runs right.

Pull the cap and see if the toothed pole piece rotates when you move the advance weights outward.

I'll bet the advance is stuck. The distributor shaft can rust to the "pole piece" the inner part with the teeth on it. There is lots of ozone in the cap and it promotes corrosion. check that the rotor does not freeze things up when it is put on too.
David

The first thing I think you nead to do is put a timing light on it and see exactly where you are. How do you know how much you are retarding or advancing the timing when you dont where it is set at. Get yourself a light and see where you are at first.