Ok here's the deal I have a fresh rebuilt 400M, I am running long tube headers, a edelbrock 600cfm vacuum secondary carb, low rise intake, home port and polish job. And I am wondering what kind of initial timing I should set this beast to?
It doesn't need to pass smog or anything considering I removed all of the smog equipment.

 

oh, yeah and double roller timing dealy set to 0 degrees.

 

If using a stock distributor, you should use the factory setting for intial spark advance. If you get any pinging it is due to the total advance being too much and no EGR.

 

factory is 8 degrees. and at 8 degrees the thing runs like dog crap. it seems to get better at more advance but since my timing light sucks ive just been ear timing it.


besides 8 doesnt seem like nearly for a modified motor does it?

 

my 78 400 shows 10BDC as required timing on the valve cover tag

 

You have to be aware of the total advance and the RPM when it reaches total advance. This is determined by your distributor advance curve and your vacuum advance. If you put too much total advance into it, you will break the lands on your pistons. You may not be aware of detonation when the engine is putting out high RPMs. Ford distributors do not have built-in advance stops like aftermarket distributors.

I run 8 degrees initial, 4 degrees vacuum and 14 degrees mechanical on my highly modified motor with a Mallory Unilite distributor.

My advice is to get a Delay Timing Light and check your total advance, before setting the initial advance.

 

well the vacuum advance diapram has a hole in it and isn't working at all.
so I wasnt getting any vacuum advance.

But i did discover that my initial timing was about 8 degrees.