Total Advance for Chrysler 440s

[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...

[prowlersfish]

Anyone ? I had that info but unable to find it

[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.

[WayWeGo]

44Ydnar88, thanks for posting!

Do you remember where you got this info from?

[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

[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.

[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.

[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 (83.18 KiB) Viewed 10936 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.

[WayWeGo]

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.

[mikeandanne]

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.

[44Ydnar88]

https://youtu.be/eDz-jQX7lgw

[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.