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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.

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

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