Total Advance for Chrysler 440s

This forum is for comments and the exchange of information relating to Trojan Boats and boating. Please do not post used parts or boats For Sale in this area. For general, non-boating topics please use our "General Discussions" section.

Note: Negative or inflammatory postings will not be tolerated.

Moderators: BeaconMarineBob, Moderator, BeaconMarineDon

Post Reply
User avatar
WayWeGo
2024 Gold Support
2024 Gold Support
Posts: 782
Joined: Fri Feb 13, 2015 11:13 am
Location: Oakton, VA / Rhode River - Chesapeake Bay

Total Advance for Chrysler 440s

Post by WayWeGo »

I am going to be tuning up my distributors and wondering if anyone has ignition advance info for 440 330HP engines. Lots of conflicting info on the internet...
1975 F-36 Convertible
Twin Chrysler 440's
User avatar
prowlersfish
2024 Gold Support
2024 Gold Support
Posts: 12645
Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2005 6:56 pm
Location: Lower Chesapeake Bay ,Va

Re: Total Advance for Chrysler 440s

Post by prowlersfish »

Anyone ? I had that info but unable to find it
Boating is good for the soul
77/78 TROJAN F36 Conv.
6BTA Cummins diesels
Life is to short for a ugly boat :D
User avatar
44Ydnar88
Registered user
Posts: 52
Joined: Fri Sep 20, 2013 8:24 am
Location: atwood illinois

Re: Total Advance for Chrysler 440s

Post by 44Ydnar88 »

I used these numbers on my 318 after posting the same question, with what seems to be a mystery. I'm at 7deg initial, so 30 total all in at 3000 or so, I'm on step about 2300- 2500. You don't want full advance at that load. I was able to use springs from a Mr gasket hei kit. The prestolite replacement springs are sitting next to the holy grail somewhere. And instead of a limit bushing, I used a tach weld and a file. I had that distributer apart ALOT. but after all that the boat runs great.
Attachments
2012-07-10_08-47-19_878.jpg
2012-07-10_08-47-19_878.jpg (78.54 KiB) Viewed 8541 times
76 F25 H/T Express
96 Baja 208 Islander
87 Baja 180 islander
User avatar
WayWeGo
2024 Gold Support
2024 Gold Support
Posts: 782
Joined: Fri Feb 13, 2015 11:13 am
Location: Oakton, VA / Rhode River - Chesapeake Bay

Re: Total Advance for Chrysler 440s

Post by WayWeGo »

44Ydnar88, thanks for posting!

Do you remember where you got this info from?
Last edited by WayWeGo on Tue Mar 26, 2019 4:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1975 F-36 Convertible
Twin Chrysler 440's
User avatar
44Ydnar88
Registered user
Posts: 52
Joined: Fri Sep 20, 2013 8:24 am
Location: atwood illinois

Re: Total Advance for Chrysler 440s

Post by 44Ydnar88 »

Marineengine.com, there are a lot of Marinette owners that have Chryslers. Search fast Jeff, grab some popcorn, you'll be busy reading. These timing numbers were from a 440 service manual I found on that site
76 F25 H/T Express
96 Baja 208 Islander
87 Baja 180 islander
User avatar
44Ydnar88
Registered user
Posts: 52
Joined: Fri Sep 20, 2013 8:24 am
Location: atwood illinois

Re: Total Advance for Chrysler 440s

Post by 44Ydnar88 »

I decided last season at the same I did the distributor was add a gm hei module in place of the 4 pin Mopar unit. .045 gap on rn14yc plugs, msd blaster2 coil. That engine after the ignition upgrade just runs awesome. Fuel burn is good, runs at the thermostat. Had to go back to the stock 1409 settings. Thought it was a fuel delivery problem. I usually run 3200 at cruise, but it will make it to 4000.
76 F25 H/T Express
96 Baja 208 Islander
87 Baja 180 islander
kallen
Sporadic User
Posts: 120
Joined: Wed Jun 04, 2008 8:48 pm
Location: Ivy lee, ontario,canada

Re: Total Advance for Chrysler 440s

Post by kallen »

1981 F-32 318-Cid The timing chart shown is right on. I currently set the initial timing at 6 degrees at 700 rpm. Had the distributor dialed in on a distributor machine to 30 degrees total. Remember to take into account the type ( octane ) of fuel used and the weight of the boat loaded.
User avatar
WayWeGo
2024 Gold Support
2024 Gold Support
Posts: 782
Joined: Fri Feb 13, 2015 11:13 am
Location: Oakton, VA / Rhode River - Chesapeake Bay

Re: Total Advance for Chrysler 440s

Post by WayWeGo »

I have never been able to find a service manual for the 330 HP Chrysler Marine 440 cu in engine. The manual I have been working with is for the 300 HP version and has the following ignition information:
440-300 Ignition Specs.jpg
440-300 Ignition Specs.jpg (83.18 KiB) Viewed 8506 times
Interestingly, MarineEngine.com sells this manual as the correct one for the M440/330HP as well. I had seen the numbers that 44Ydnar88 posted and am going to use a base of 5-7 degrees and total advance of 28-30 degrees if I cannot find anything more appropriate. From what I have been researching, you really don't want to go over 30 degrees on this engine.
1975 F-36 Convertible
Twin Chrysler 440's
User avatar
WayWeGo
2024 Gold Support
2024 Gold Support
Posts: 782
Joined: Fri Feb 13, 2015 11:13 am
Location: Oakton, VA / Rhode River - Chesapeake Bay

Re: Total Advance for Chrysler 440s

Post by WayWeGo »

44Ydnar88 wrote: Sun Mar 24, 2019 4:17 pm I decided last season at the same I did the distributor was add a gm hei module in place of the 4 pin Mopar unit. .045 gap on rn14yc plugs, msd blaster2 coil. That engine after the ignition upgrade just runs awesome. Fuel burn is good, runs at the thermostat. Had to go back to the stock 1409 settings. Thought it was a fuel delivery problem. I usually run 3200 at cruise, but it will make it to 4000.
I am curious about why you decided to replace the Mopar trigger and control box with a GM HEI unit. Were you unhappy with its performance or just decided to go with the GM HEI due to its reputation for reliability and higher energy spark. At the RPMs we are running, I am not sure there is much of a difference in performance.
1975 F-36 Convertible
Twin Chrysler 440's
mikeandanne
Moderate User
Posts: 628
Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2012 11:30 am

Re: Total Advance for Chrysler 440s

Post by mikeandanne »

WayWeGo wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2019 12:32 pm I have never been able to find a service manual for the 330 HP Chrysler Marine 440 cu in engine. The manual I have been working with is for the 300 HP version and has the following ignition information:

440-300 Ignition Specs.jpg

Interestingly, MarineEngine.com sells this manual as the correct one for the M440/330HP as well. I had seen the numbers that 44Ydnar88 posted and am going to use a base of 5-7 degrees and total advance of 28-30 degrees if I cannot find anything more appropriate. From what I have been researching, you really don't want to go over 30 degrees on this engine.
Completely agree with this but I would keep it to 28 max as a total and add that getting the correct curve is more important than the total itself. The rpm those degrees come in at is the deciding factor in avoiding damaging knock. With the older mallory marine distributors you could use the mopar performance advance kit( springs and degree spacers ) to get the right curve,double checked with timing tape and light.

Honestly with the lack of distributor machines around etc I might be tempted to buy new distributors, cheaper than engines Imo.
User avatar
44Ydnar88
Registered user
Posts: 52
Joined: Fri Sep 20, 2013 8:24 am
Location: atwood illinois

Re: Total Advance for Chrysler 440s

Post by 44Ydnar88 »

76 F25 H/T Express
96 Baja 208 Islander
87 Baja 180 islander
User avatar
WayWeGo
2024 Gold Support
2024 Gold Support
Posts: 782
Joined: Fri Feb 13, 2015 11:13 am
Location: Oakton, VA / Rhode River - Chesapeake Bay

Re: Total Advance for Chrysler 440s

Post by WayWeGo »

Thanks for the video!

When one of my ECMs failed last summer, I thought about going with a GM HEI conversion, but decided to stick with a Mopar unit for simplicity. I do like the idea of getting a full 12V at the coil as long as you always shut off the ignition when the engine stops to avoid burning up the coil.
1975 F-36 Convertible
Twin Chrysler 440's
Post Reply