Help PLEASE, I am not able to read the ezact step by step procedures on my nover engine compartment sticker.

1978 California, nova 4.1 HEI, A/T, AIR,184,500 miles. I just am not able to get the timming? idle right. The Vacuum reads 18 hg, and compression is 170 psi on 5 revolutions on all cylinders. a little smoke upon startup but not too bad.

suggestions welcome thanks

Help PLEASE, I am not able to read the ezact step by step procedures on my nover engine compartment sticker.

1978 California, nova 4.1 HEI, A/T, AIR,184,500 miles. I just am not able to get the timming? idle right. The Vacuum reads 18 hg, and compression is 170 psi on 5 revolutions on all cylinders. a little smoke upon startup but not too bad.

suggestions welcome thanks


those are great numbers

18-22 is normal

170 is very good, 150 is normal

a little smoke at startup is normal too

set idle to around 550 with auto and 700 with manual

timing around 6 or 8 degrees BTDC, if it pings under load then back the timing off a little bit


you have a 78 250 nova,, i like those, are my favorite, you are lucky to have one, i practically grew up in one this year and engine
and i had a 77 one a few years ago,
these things are hard to find, you never see one any more, ever, for years, all gone


take care of her :D

those are great numbers

18-22 is normal

170 is very good, 150 is normal

a little smoke at startup is normal too

set idle to around 550 with auto and 700 with manual

timing around 6 or 8 degrees BTDC, if it pings under load then back the timing off a little bit


you have a 78 250 nova,, i like those, are my favorite, you are lucky to have one, i practically grew up in one this year and engine
and i had a 77 one a few years ago,
these things are hard to find, you never see one any more, ever, for years, all gone


take care of her :D



Thank yoU for the info! I changed the mechanical timing plate, weights, and springs (mid strength springs),

NOW symtoms include a flat acellerating untill all of a sudden the engine roars to life acellerates to the shift then shifts then back to a flat acellerating, however it really takes off now with no ping! should I put the old plate and weights with only new springs?

She is asking for freeze plugs for christmas!

Thank you faster68