My total timing is way too high!

[maverick0716]

When I bought the car, the stock distributor had already been worked a bit by the previous owner....so the advance is definity not stock. When I set the base timing at 14, the total timing is at 42! Also the total timing comes in very quick (like a bit under 2000 rpm). I'm just wondering that if I don't hear any pinging, does that mean it's okay to run that kind of timing? It seems aweful high. I've heard people recommend running 35-36 degrees total timing. Am I losing much performance by running 42 degrees? Thanks.

 

[dragnazz5.0]

i wouldnt think youre losing anything, but i would think that if that 42* were to come in just a little later, maybe 3500 it would be better. i dont see the need to run that much advance that soon. top fuel cars run like 55-65* timing at wot....so 42 is up there. its not a bad thing, but if it were to get that high later instead of sooner it would be better

 

[maverick0716]

Interesting. I was thinking maybe I should just buy an aftermarket billet distributor.....Like an MSD or Mallory....then I could set the advance to what I wanted easily. Thanks for the reply.

 

[maverick0716]

bumpers

 

[Mustang78]

i set my base timing at 12* yesterday, and my total timing was 43*, it also came in right before 2K RPM...runs fine for a carbed car so i'm not gonna whine about it...stock duraspark ignition also, would going with a MSD box and HEI dizzy gain any performance?? Thanks

~Mark~