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Thread: Bpe 347 vacuum advance or not?

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  1. #1
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    Bpe 347 vacuum advance or not?

    Hey 347 owners. The techs at Blueprint advised me to cap off the vacuum advance and rely totally on mechanical advance. This motor is brand new with the sniper still in learning mode. I'm using a simple bpe hei distributer with no ignition box, nothing fancy here. Please reply if you think disabling vacuum will adversely affect drivability with my hot rod. I built this car to be reliable and I am trying not to cross over into the black art of tuning and maintaining a race car motor. This car will be driven daily. Your advice is appreciated very much.

    Also, anything wrong with using standard prestone antifreeze in these aluminum headed motors and radiators?

    Thanks,
    Tom

  2. #2
    Seasoned Citizen NAZ's Avatar
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    There is an advantage to using the vacuum advance on a mild mannered street car. Usually the vacuum advance set-up for a stock distributor is close enough for most folks but you can get vacuum cans that are adjustable so you can fine tune your vacuum advance if needed. However, if you have a hotter cam you may find the engine runs better without a vacuum advance.

    As for the Prestone antifreeze -- been running it for decades and it works well. I buy the pre-mixed version but if you like mixing your own don't use tap water. However, it is not the same as the extended service antifreeze Ford currently uses so you will need to change it more often. And don't mix coolants -- they are not all compatible.

    For more info: https://www.onallcylinders.com/2015/...y-you-need-it/
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  3. #3
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    wallace18's Avatar
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    I use the vacuum advance on all my BPE engines. Just make sure total advance does not exceed recommendations.

  4. #4
    Papa's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Brave Salmon View Post
    Hey 347 owners. The techs at Blueprint advised me to cap off the vacuum advance and rely totally on mechanical advance. This motor is brand new with the sniper still in learning mode. I'm using a simple bpe hei distributer with no ignition box, nothing fancy here. Please reply if you think disabling vacuum will adversely affect drivability with my hot rod. I built this car to be reliable and I am trying not to cross over into the black art of tuning and maintaining a race car motor. This car will be driven daily. Your advice is appreciated very much.

    Also, anything wrong with using standard prestone antifreeze in these aluminum headed motors and radiators?

    Thanks,
    Tom
    My BPE 347 was delivered with a vacuum advance hooked up. I wonder what may have changed to cause them to recommend capping it off. I also have the Sniper and simple HEI.
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  5. #5
    Not a waxer Jeff Kleiner's Avatar
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    I always use vacuum advance on street cars.

    Jeff

  6. #6
    Senior Member FF33rod's Avatar
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    My thought - if the Sniper is controlling the timing, then cap off the vacuum advance and they should have disabled the mechanical advance in the distributor as well. If not, and the distributor is controlling the timing, then likely having both vacuum and mechanical advance will be appropriate for a standard BPE mild 347.

    Steve
    Gen 1 '33 Hot Rod #1104
    347 with Holley Sniper & Hyperspark, TKO600, IRS, 245/40R18 & 315/30R18, DRL, Digital Guard Dog keyless Ignition

  7. #7
    Senior Member rich grsc's Avatar
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    As I run EFI stacks I have now opinion on vacuum advances. How ever, on a new engine with aluminum heads and radiator I would not recommend Prestone antifreeze. Use what Ford and almost all new cars use now, Dexcool. It is formulated to protect aluminum, has a better 'wetting' action to help with heat transfer. New car manufacturers do not spend millions on research, then use an inferior product. They have to stand behind their warranty.

  8. #8
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    To clarify. The OP is referencing one of the "normal" BluePrint engines. With a Big (GM STYLE) distributor. This engine, and distributor aren't typically purchased for FFR's. The FFR packages use a MSD distributor , and advance curve is completely different on the FFR Packages ( Found on factoryfiveengines.com )
    If you buy the complete Factory Five Package, with the MSD distributor, the only time i advise removing and plugging the Vac advance line is to check base timing at idle, and mechanical advance. After thats verified, plug it back in.
    Running initial break-in w/o the vac advance hooked up can lead to running hot, scorching headers, etc.

    when it comes to the BIG HEI's, typically used in heavier muscle car swaps, etc...they could need tuned/adjusted. which you're welcome to do if you know the procedure.

    Johnny Mac
    BluePrint Engines
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