Timing for 360 with GM TBI swap

[jgjeeper]

So the swap of a GM TBI from a chevy 350 onto my AMC 360 is basically complete. It starts and runs great. I owe so much to my buddy Chad. We had to advance the timing to 15* so it wouldn't backfire at high RPM. We did follow the advice on Binderplanet on how to modify the distributor and did the "phasing" mod that was mentioned so there wouldn't be backfires at high rpm. It runs great now from idle up to high revs (have driven it yet, maybe Sat.).
What have any of you guys that have done this swap had to set the timing at?

 

[NorthwestCJer]

My experience. I have HEI'd many jeeps and trucks. I really like HEI.
My AMC 304 's I had, I just purchased a GM HEI that was made for the AMC engine. They were $99.00 and I swapped my dist gear.
The specs on those dist say to set the timing at 12deg btdc.
Are you timing it with vac disconnected? is it manifold or ported vac?
Does the timing mark jump around any?

 

[jgjeeper]

The vacuum lines are all disconected now and the adjustability of the internals of the dist. are welded in place per instructions from the write up. AMC Distributor set up - Binder Planet Forums The TBI computer now controls the timing. But there can be issues at high RPM. We got it to where its happy, 15*, but we're curious what other people have had to do.

 

[Niedhogg]

If I could ask you, what are the basics for this swap? I have a 360 that I will be swapping in as a temporary fix for my AMC 304 , which ironically has an HEI that ate my cam gear, and I have a TBI 350 with a tranny and Transfer Case from an '87 GM truck that I was thinking about dropping in, which will involve quite a bit more work. A 360 with a TBI swap sounds like an awsome alternative..

 

[jgjeeper]

My early impression is that it is pretty awsome. I was not the brains behind this, my buddy had helped some friend of his do a couple and he lead me through it with me doing most of the grunt work. For all your questions go to Binder Planet. Bunch of guys over there that have all the answers for anybody wanting to do this any almost any older truck.
Basics:I have an access whole through the floor to the top of my gas tank. I modified my sending unit by adding an electric fuel pump from an 89 gm pick up (the same year and type that I source the TBI) and joined them together. Ran new 3/8" SS fuel lines, both feed and return lines, to engine. Got an adapter plate for the throttle body, mounted the computer, spent time running wires, NOTE: the wiring harness from the donor has to be paired down to what you need-either look up how to do it or buy a new made to order one 9my buddy did it for me), installed some indicator lights, ran more wires, installed some relays, ran more wires, got a gm coil, ran wires, modified the distributor, ran wires, installed a O2 bung on the exhaust and a tapped an area on the block for the knock sensor and than ran more wires. It is a lot of work. But most of it isn't back breaking. I'm glad I did it, but couldn't have without my friend. Didn't take many pics, here some for the pump. Go to Binder Planet for more info.

 

[Niedhogg]

Thanks for the info, it doesn't really all that hard to convert. What I may do then, is look over sensor placement onto my 360 engine so that's out of the way before I install it, and run it carburated until I get the other items lined out and then spend a weekend (or two) getting the swap completed and lined out, later this spring.