B 20 engines, dymamite when they are in tune and set for speed. Unfortunatly for me tuning is an aspect I dont quite get yet. While researching the 'timing' for my engine I found no exact timing criteria other than timing depends on everything from plug heat range, plug gap, fuel ratio, compression ratio, pinging, etc. Timing is no exact science for all car but rather you need to know 'your car' in an effort to time your engine. Well, let the fun begin right because now you have to consider 2 things, this is allot to become a 'master' of and Im not a master mechanic even if I can build shit that would make you brain go 'POP'. So, here I am now with my brand new B20 built by John Parker. The head is a 'type 2' design in terms of porting by JP. It was previously a fuel injected head but is now a carburated head with twin SU's. the SU's were rebuilt just before the engine and are in great condition. The distributor is now the 123 electronic with the timing curve set to '9' at the base. So with everything being in great shape my last and final problem seems to be dialing this all together and having a lasting end result that will keep me from opening the hood ecept for routine maintenance. Ive been through the range of tuning the carbs as described in the manual(s) and for the most part all same the same thing in terms of getting set, doing the work, checking your speed controls and finish with a test run(s). Ive got the carbs close but feel they are still off. My timing, with this new distributor my biggest issue is consistancy. I pulled the vacuum tube off yesterday and found the tube had oil in it.......WTF...... and am now wondering if this is upsetting the advance especially when the car is cold. Dont get me wrong, the car runs great , its just missing that last little bit of detailed tuning which I feel is nearly out of my range. Aside from ranting about my frustrations and continue my efforts to 'tinker' until I get it right does anyone know a mechanic on LI that could start from scratch tuning this thing in and getting rid of the timing issue, the (initial) hesitation at acceleration and lose the higher idle speed when the clutch is in and no gas applied? My feeling is the gas ratio needs tweeking and the timing may be just a degree or 2 off.