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Buick Tune Up!

YEAR MODEL
SPARK PLUGS
BREAKER
GAP
IGN.
TIMING
MARK
AND
LOCATION
CAM
ANGLE
DEGREES
(NOTE B)
FIRING
ORDER
CYLINDER
HEAD
TORQUE.
IDLE
SPEED
Type Gap
1935-42 all AC-46 .025 .016 A 21-30 16258374 65-70 450
1946-49 all AC-48 .025 .016 A 21-30 16258374 65-70 450
  • A - "ADV" mark on flywheel.
  • B - For satisfactory operation, cam angle may be ste withing the range given provided the breaker gap is as shown

YEAR
MODEL
SPARK PLUGS
DISTRIBUTOR (note 1)
IGN.
TIMING
(Note 2)
COMPRESSION
PRESSURE
(Note 3)
VALVES (note 4)
FUEL
PUMP
PRESSURE
IDLE
(nuetral)
Type
Gap
Cam
Angle
Point
Gap
Arm
Spring
Tension
TAPPET CLEARANCE
HOT
TIMING
INLET
EXHAUST
INLET
OPENS
(note 2)
1950
40, St.8
AC-48
.025
31
.015
19-23
4B
114
.015
.015
13B
4 1/2
450
50, St.8
AC-48
.025
31
.015
19-23
4B
118
.015
.015
13B
4 1/2
450
70, St.8
AC-48
.025
31
.015
19-23
6B
120
Zero
Zero
14B
4 1/2
450
1951
40, St.8
AC-46X
.025
31
.015
19-23
4B
114
.015
.015
13B
4 1/2
450
50, St.8
AC-46X
.025
31
.015
19-23
4B
118
Zero
Zero
13B
4 1/2
450
70, St.8
AC-46X
.025
31
.015
19-23
6B
120
Zero
Zero
14B
5
450
1952
40, St.8
AC-46X
.025
31
.015
19-23
4B
140
.015
.015
13B
5
450
40, St.8, Dyna.
AC-46X
.025
31
.015
19-23
4B
140
Zero
Zero
14B
5
450
50, St.8
AC-46X
.025
31
.015
19-23
4B
140
Zero
Zero
14B
5
450
70, St.8
AC-46X
.025
31
.015
19-23
6B
140
Zero
Zero
14B
5
450
1953
40, St.8
AC-46X
.025
31
.015
19-23
4B
140
.015
.015
13B
5
450
40, St.8, Dyna.
AC-46X
.025
31
.015
19-23
4B
140
Zero
Zero
14B
5
450
50, 70 V8
AC-44-5
.032
29 1/2
.015
19-23
5B
150
Zero
Zero
25B
5
450
1954
40, V8
AC-44-5
.032
29 1/2
.015
19-23
5B
130
Zero
Zero
25B
5
450
50, 60, 70 V8
AC-44-5
.032
29 1/2
.015
19-23
5B
150
Zero
Zero
25B
5
450
1955
40, V8
AC-44-5
.032
29 1/2
.015
19-23
5B
140
Zero
Zero
25B
5
450
50, 60, V8
AC-44-5
.032
29 1/2
.015
19-23
5B
155
Zero
Zero
25B
5
450
70 V8
AC-44-5
.032
29 1/2
.015
19-23
5B
155
Zero
Zero
25B
5
450
1956
40, V8
AC-44
.032
29 1/2
.015
19-23
5B
155
Zero
Zero
25B
6 1/2
450
50, 60, 70 V8
AC-44
.032
29 1/2
.015
19-23
5B
155
Zero
Zero
30B
6 1/2
450
1957
40, V8
AC-44
.032
30
.015
19-23
5B
140
Zero
Zero
25B
6 1/2
485
40, dyna. V8
AC-44
.032
30
.015
19-23
5B
170
Zero
Zero
25B
6 1/2
485
50, 60, 70 V8
AC-44
.032
30
.015
19-23
5B
185
Zero
Zero
34B
6 1/2
485
1958
40, V8
AC-44
.032
30
.015
19-23
5B
140
Zero
Zero
25B
5 3/4
485
40, dyna. V8
AC-44
.032
30
.015
19-23
5B
170
Zero
Zero
34B
5 3/4
485
50, 60, 70, 700 V8
AC-44
.032
30
.015
19-23
5B
185
Zero
Zero
34B
5 3/4
485
1958
4400, V8
AC-44S
.032
30
.015
19-23
5B
140
Zero
Zero
25B
5 3/4
485
4400, dyna. V8
AC-44S
.032
30
.015
19-23
12B
140
Zero
Zero
34B
5 3/4
485
4600, 4700, 4800 V8
AC-44S
.032
30
.015
19-23
12B
145
Zero
Zero
33B
5 3/4
485
  • Note 1: Distributor

    ROTATION VIEWED FROM THE TOP
    1950-54, All St. 8...........Counterclockwise
    1953-1959, All V-8........Clockwise
    DRIVE GEAR
    1950-59--Pinned to distributor shaft.
    CONDENSER CAPACITY
    1950-59...........18-.23 Microfarads
    FIRING ORDER AND SPARK PLUG WIRE INSTALLATION
      All Buick In-Line (St. 8) engine cylinders are numbered from front to back with No. 1 cylinder at the front.
      Using this numbering system the FIRING ORDER of the In-Line engines is:1-6-2-5-8-3-7-4. The spark plug wires go into the In-Line distributor cap in the firing order and in a counterclockwise direction.
      All Buick V-8 engine cylinders are numbered from front to back; left bank, 2-4-6-8; right bank, 1-3-5-7. (Comment refers to pre '59 nailheads, although it is accurate for all nailheads. Left bank is driver's side.)
      Using this numbering system the FIRING ORDER of V-8 engine is: 1-2-7-8-4-5-6-3. The spark plug wires go into the V-8 distributor cap in the firing order and in a clockwise direction.

    Note 2: Ignition

    TIMING MARKS AND THEIR LOCATION
    1950-53, All Yellow mark on flywheel one degree wide at the correct point.
    1954-59, All V-8: Yellow mark on crankshaft pulley. The indicator plate on the chain cover has "0" at top dead center and 3 marks at 2 1/2 degree intervals before TDC (2 1/2,5,7 1/2 degrees before top dead center).
    TIMING PROCEDURE
    Reduce idle speed to 400 RPM. Disconnect and plug vacuum advance line at Vacuum unit. Use timing light to set timing. When timed according to specs reconnect vacuum unit and reset idle speed to specs.
    IGNITION RESISTOR
      On all V-8 models there is an ignition ballast resistor connected between the ignition switch and the coil. A contact finger in the starter solenoid by-passes the resistor when the starter is turning the engine. Because of this be sure to ground the primary ignition circuit before using the starter to turn the engine when working under the hood; otherwise the engine may fire.
    SPARK PLUGS
    Spark Plug Interchange Tables will be found in the general section under the heading:Ignition-Distributor-Tune-up.

    Note 3: Compression Pressure

      All cylinders should read alike within 10 lbs. This is more important than the actual reading. Take the reading with: all plugs removed; throttle open; engine at normal operating temperature.

    Note 4: Valves
    Zero in the Tappet Clearance column indicates hydraulic lifters are standard equipment.

    Note 5: Idle Speed
    Idle speeds as shown are for engines in good condition and with the transmission in Neutral. The proper idle speed for an engine depends on its condition and also on whether or not it has a Dynaflow transmission. Higher idling speeds are required for engines in poor condition and also for engines used with Dynaflow.


timing_53-63.gif - 8693 Bytes

YEAR MODEL
SPARK PLUGS
DISTRIBUTOR
IGN.
TIMING
comp.,
crank
VALVES
FUEL
PUMP
PRESS.
IDLE
SPEED
Type Gap Dwell Gap
Tappet
Clearance, hot
intake
opens,
(deg)
intake exhaust
1962 6, Special 4000 44S .035 30° .016 5BTD - zero zero - - -
V-8, Special 4100 44FFS .035 30° .016 5BTD - zero zero - - -
V-8, 401 cu. in. 280 hp.
LeSabre		 44S .035 30° .016 12BTD 180 zero zero - - -
V-8, 401 cu. in. 280 hp.
Invicta		 44S .035 30° .016 12BTD 180 zero zero - - -
V8-401 cu. 280 hp.
Electra		 44S .035 30° .016 12BTD 180 zero zero - - -

YEAR MODEL
SPARK PLUGS
DISTRIBUTOR
IGN.
TIMING
comp.,
crank
VALVES
FUEL
PUMP
PRESS.
IDLE
SPEED
Type Gap Dwell Gap
Tappet
Clearance, hot
intake
opens,
(deg)
intake exhaust
1963 V6-198 cu. 44S .035 30° .016 5BTD 160 zero zero 18B 4-5 1/4 525
V8-215 cu. 2bbl. 45FFS .035 30° .016 5BTD 160 zero zero 29B 4-5 1/4 525
V8-215 cu. 4bbl. 45FFS .035 30° .016 7 1/2BTD 160 zero zero 29B 4-5 1/4 525
V8-401 cu. 2bbl. 44S .035 30° .016 12BTD 170 zero zero - 5 3/4 475
525 A/C
V8-401 cu. 4bbl. 44S .035 30° .016 12BTD 170 zero zero 37B 5 3/4 475
525 A/C
V8-425 cu. 4bbl. 44S .035 30° .016 12BTD 170 zero zero 31B 5 3/4 475
525 A/C

YEAR MODEL
SPARK PLUGS
DISTRIBUTOR
IGN.
TIMING
comp.,
crank
VALVES
FUEL
PUMP
PRESS.
IDLE
SPEED
Type Gap Dwell Gap
Tappet
Clearance, hot
intake
opens,
(deg)
intake exhaust
1964 V8-300 cu. 2bbl. 44FFS .032 30° .016 2 1/2BTD 160 zero zero 26B 5 550
V8-300,401 cu. 4bbl. 44S .035 30° .016 2 1/2BTD 170 zero zero 28B 6 500
550 A/C
V8-425 cu. 4bbl. 44S .032 30° .016 2 1/2BTD 170 zero zero 31B 6 500
550 A/C
V8-425 cu. 2-4bbl. 44S .032 30° .016 12BTD 170 zero zero 28B 6 500
550 A/C
Special and Gran Sport
  V6-225 cu. in. 44S .035 30° .016 5BTD 160 zero zero 24B 4 1/2-5 3/4 550
  V8-300 cu. in. 44FFS .035 30° .016 5BTD 160 zero zero 26B 5 1/4-6 1/2 550

YEAR MODEL
SPARK PLUGS
DISTRIBUTOR
IGN.
TIMING
comp.,
crank
VALVES
FUEL
PUMP
PRESS.
IDLE
SPEED
Type Gap Dwell Gap
Tappet
Clearance, hot
intake
opens,
(deg)
intake exhaust
1965 V8-300 cu. 2bbl. 44FFS .032 30° .016 2 1/2BTD 160 zero zero 26B 6 550
V8-300,401 cu. 4bbl. 44S .032 30° .016 2 1/2BTD 170 zero zero 28B 6 500
V8-425 cu. 4bbl. 44S .032 30° .016 2 1/2BTD 170 zero zero 29B 6 525
V8-425 cu. 2-4bbl. MT 44S .032 30° .016 2 1/2BTD 170 zero zero 28B 6 525
V8-425 cu. 2-4bbl. AT 44S .032 30° .016 12BTD 170 zero zero 28B 6 525
Special and Gran Sport
  V6-225 cu. in. 44S .035 30° .016 5BTD 160 zero zero 24B 4 1/2-5 3/4 550
  V8-300 cu. in. 44FFS .035 30° .016 2 1/2BTD 160 zero zero 26B 4 1/4-5 3/4 550
  V8-400 cu. in. 44S .035 30° .016 2 1/2BTD 160 zero zero 28B 4 3/4-6 1/2 550

YEAR MODEL
SPARK PLUGS
DISTRIBUTOR
IGN.
TIMING
comp.,
crank
VALVES
FUEL
PUMP
PRESS.
IDLE
SPEED
Type Gap Dwell Gap
Tappet
Clearance, hot
intake
opens,
(deg)
intake exhaust
1966 V8-340 cu. 44TS .032 30° .016 2 1/2BTD 160 zero zero 32B 6 550
V8-401 44S .032 30° .016 2 1/2BTD 170 zero zero 28B 6 500
V8-425 cu. 44S .032 30° .016 2 1/2BTD 170 zero zero 29B 6 525
V8-425 cu. 2-4bbl. 44S .032 30° .016 12BTD 170 zero zero 28B 6 525

YEAR MODEL
SPARK PLUGS
DISTRIBUTOR
IGN.
TIMING
comp.,
crank
VALVES
FUEL
PUMP
PRESS.
IDLE
SPEED
Type Gap Dwell Gap
Tappet
Clearance, hot
intake
opens,
(deg)
intake exhaust
1967 V8-340 cu. 44S .032 30° .016 2 1/2BTD 160 zero zero 32B 5 550
V8-430 44TS .032 30° .016 2 1/2BTD 170 zero zero 14B 6 500

YEAR MODEL
SPARK PLUGS
DISTRIBUTOR
IGN.
TIMING
comp.,
crank
VALVES
FUEL
PUMP
PRESS.
IDLE
SPEED
Type Gap Dwell Gap
Tappet
Clearance, hot
intake
opens,
(deg)
intake exhaust
1968 V8-350 cu. 2bbl. 44TS .030 30° .016 2 1/2BTD 160 zero zero 24B 5 550
V8-350 cu. 4bbl. 44TS .030 30° .016 2 1/2BTD 170 zero zero 24B 5 550
V8-430 4bbl. 44TS .030 30° .016 2 1/2BTD 170 zero zero 14B 6 1/4 550

YEAR MODEL
SPARK PLUGS
DISTRIBUTOR
IGN.
TIMING
comp.,
crank
VALVES
FUEL
PUMP
PRESS.
IDLE
SPEED
Type Gap Dwell Gap
Tappet
Clearance, hot
intake
opens,
(deg)
intake exhaust
1969 V8-350 cu. 2bbl. R45TS .030 30° .016 TDC 160 zero zero 24B 5 550
V8-350 cu. 4bbl. R45TS .030 30° .016 TDC 170 zero zero 24B 5 550
V8-430 4bbl. R44TS .030 30° .016 TDC 170 zero zero 14B 6 1/4 550

YEAR MODEL
SPARK PLUGS
DISTRIBUTOR
IGN.
TIMING
comp.,
crank
VALVES
FUEL
PUMP
PRESS.
IDLE
SPEED
Type Gap Dwell Gap
Tappet
Clearance, hot
intake
opens,
(deg)
intake exhaust
1970 V8-350 cu. 2bbl. R45TS .030 30° .016 TDC 160 zero zero 24B 5 550
V8-350 cu. 4bbl. R45TS .030 30° .016 TDC 170 zero zero 24B 5 550
V8-455 2bbl.
(310hp)		 R45S .030 30° .016 6BTD 180 zero zero 20B 5-8 850
V8-455 4bbl.
(365hp)		 R44S .030 30° .016 8BTD 180 zero zero 20B 5-8 850
V8-455 4bbl.
(390hp)		 R44S .030 30° .016 10BTD 180 zero zero 20B 5-8 850

YEAR MODEL
SPARK PLUGS
DISTRIBUTOR
IGN.
TIMING
comp.,
crank
VALVES
FUEL
PUMP
PRESS.
IDLE
SPEED
Type Gap Dwell Gap
Tappet
Clearance, hot
intake
opens,
(deg)
intake exhaust
1971 L6-250, (145hp) N12Y .035 30° 2.5BTD 165 zero zero - - - 650

YEAR MODEL
SPARK PLUGS
DISTRIBUTOR
IGN.
TIMING
comp.,
crank
VALVES
FUEL
PUMP
PRESS.
IDLE
SPEED
Type Gap Dwell Gap
Tappet
Clearance, hot
intake
opens,
(deg)
intake exhaust
1972 - - - - - - - - - - - -
1973 - - - - - - - - - - - -
1974 - - - - - - - - - - - -
1975 V6-231 cu.(175hp) R44SX .060
electonic
12BTD - - - 17B 3-
41/2		 8/600
700AT
L6-250 cu.(100hp) R46TX .060
electonic
10BTD - - - 14B 4-5 850MT
550AT
8-260 cu.(110hp) R46SX .060
electonic
18BTD - - - 22B 41/4-
53/4		 850MT
550AT
V8-350 cu. R45TSX .060
electonic
12BTD - - - 19B 41/4-
53/4		 600
V8-455 cu.(205hp) R45TSX .060
electonic
12BTD - - - 10B 41/4-
53/4		 600
1976 V6-231 cu.(105hp) R44SX .060
electonic
12BTD - - - 17B 3-
41/2		 8/600
700AT
8-260 cu.(110hp) R46SX .080
electonic
18BTD
@1100		 - - - 22B 41/2-
53/4		 650/550
V8-350 cu. R45TSX .060
electonic
12BTD - - - 13 1/2B 5-6 1/2 600
V8-455 cu.(205hp) R45TSX .060
electonic
12BTD - - - 10B 7 1/2-9 600
1977 V6-231 cu.(105hp) R46TSX .060
electonic
12BTD - - - 17B 4 1/4-
5 3/4		 8/500
600AT
V8-350 cu. R46TS .045
electonic
12BTD - - - 13B 7 1/2-9 600
1978 6-196 cu.(90hp) R46TSX .060
electonic
15BTD - - - 18B 4 1/2-
6 1/2		 600
V6-231 cu.(105hp) R46TSX .060
electonic
15BTD - - - 17B 4 1/2-
5 1/2		 600
V6-231 cu.(turbo) R44TSX .060
electonic
15BTD - - - 17B 4 1/2-
5 1/2		 650
V8-350 cu. (155hp) R46TSX .045
electonic
15BTD - - - 16B 7 1/2-9 550
1979 6-196 cu.(105hp) R46TSX .060
electonic
15BTD - - - 16B 4 1/4-
5 3/4		 600
V6-231 cu.(105hp) R46TSX .060
electonic
15BTD - - - 17B 4 1/2-
5 1/2		 800
550AT
V6-231 cu.(115hp) R46TSX .060
electonic
15BTD - - - 16B 4 1/4-
5 3/4		 800
550AT
V6-231 cu.(turbo) R44TSX .060
electonic
15BTD - - - 16B 4 1/4-
5 3/4		 650
V8-350 cu. (155hp) R46TSX .045
electonic
15BTD - - - 13 1/2B 6-7 1/2 550
firing_order.jpg - 43106 Bytes
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