Picked-up a new Bosch 050 at the GAF swapmeet, Any tips and tricks for timing? Options

[computers4kids]

I picked up a 9 230 081 050 new Bosch distributor for $50 at the GAF swap meet today and just looking for some tuning tips. I am used to tuning FI motors with a vacum advance. I will most likely drop in a pertronix unit as well so not to mess with points.

What do I need to know about using this guy with a cabureted motor?
Since this is a fully centrifigual distributor, what is the proper timing specs for a 1.8 with weber 40s? Do I set the timing at 3200 rpm for about 27 degrees and not worry about where the timing ends-up at a idle?

Appreciate any tips,
Mark

[Jake Raby]

The 050 has a faster curve, but it also has more advance built in. The 050 was made for the Porsche 356/616 engines that have a hemi chamber and like more full advance than our engines, generally 32-36 BTDC Vs the 28-30* of the TIV.

More times than not the 050 is THOUGHT to be a better dizzy because it boosts down low torque with it's faster advance and gives a false feel for what else the dizzy is doing. Fact is the 050 is easy to overadvance the engine, all that added down low advance is a positive thing, but it is overcome with the fact that to attain a 30* full advance the 050 will generally set up at 0-2*BTDC, about 10-12 degrees LESS than we have found to be optimum for smooth transition and idle speeds without hesitations.

Those that set the 050 up with 5-7BTDC idle settings will enbd up with 35-37 BTDC full advance and that'll fry the heads and pistons or simply make for higher engine temps.

The 050 still has the same crappy stock bushings and terminal placement as the 009 and it scatters the timing just as bad and timing accuracy is the key to a clean running, predictable engine that runs good head and oil temps.

The 009 is crappy, but at least it doesn't create issues l;ike the 050 does, especially when tuned without a dyno.