All engines must have a harmonic balancer instaled on them. Balanced or not.
Hook a vacuum gauge to direct vacuum port on intake. That is a place that will have vacuum on it when the engine is running at an idle. Then read gauge and move the distributor until you get the highest vacuum reading. It should be 18 to 21 inches of vacuum at an idle.
4 degrees btc-before top dead center with the vacuum spark line disconnected.the timing mark location is on the harmonic balancer. this is for a 327 engine
The engine does not produce enough vacuum to be usable.
The engine is the vacuum pump. All the vacuum operated accessories are operated by the vacuum supplied from the engine.
A gasoline engine makes it's own vacuum. The diesel engine has a vacuum pump next to the power steering pump.A gasoline engine makes it's own vacuum. The diesel engine has a vacuum pump next to the power steering pump.
The engine does not produce enough vacuum to be usable
The engine itself creates Vacuum once it is running.
It probably has a fan impeller broken off throwing it out of balance.
You must have a diesel. The vacuum pump is what gives you POWER BRAKES and on the newer engines it also makes the power steering work. Only a gas engine makes vacuum. A diesel engine does not make vacuum, so they install a vacuum pump.
A vacuum gauge is all you need to tune in a carb. A gauge for each carb if you have more than one.
The engine's vacuum is mostly controlled by the cam. You can use a milder cam to increase vacuum, or purchase an inexpensive vacuum reservoir to make better use of the vacuum you have.
The 2001 Chevy Impala vacuum module can be found on the back of the engine. The vacuum module valve will be near the top of the engine.
The 1994 Cavalier creates a vacuum from the engine. There are vacuum hoses all through the engine bay, and under the dash.