I'm a newbie and have a real basic timing question.

This may sound dumb, but I've looked around casually, and I can't find any good guidance on how much total advance I should be running on my 454.

The engine has no knock sensor and my 70 Elky has no electronic engine control computer. I don't want to overadvance it, but neither do I want it overly retarded. It does have headers and 2-1/2 Flowmaster duals, so I probably couldn't hear it knocking even if it was.

I'm running
427 w/454 crank (454 CID)
9.5:1 flat top pistons
Edelbrock Performer RPM heads and manifold w/Holly 770 Carb
HEI ignition w/Excel Supercoil.
93 Octane Pump gas
Automatic Trans/1800 Stall or there abouts

Where can I find some reliable guidance on what I should set total timing at?

(sorry if this a repeat question, but I didn't see it posted in the forum anywhere)
Thx all in advance.
Mike
(mnunn)

FYI, all

I found a very helpful article at
It's called Changing The Advance Curve on HEI Distributors (http://www.boyleworks.com/ta400/psp/distcurve.html)

Found out where to set not only the total mechanical timing (around 35 in my case) but also how to adjust the base and centrifugal portions that make up that setting. Last night I modified my HEI's flyweights to give me about 25-30 centrifugal and then I set the initial at about 5 degrees for a 35 degree total. Engine performance woke up tremendously. It's not perfect yet. Engine's still a little hard to start when hot, but I'm definitely on the right track. Next step is retard the initial about 2-3 degrees more and add that amount to the centrifugal advance. That should alleviate all remaining kick back at hot start-up and still give me the engine performance that it's capable of.

Then, as the article suggests, install an adjustible vacuum advance to make it right for part throttle (local and highway) conditions.

Thought others might benefit as well.
Mike :-)

If it's hard to start hot with only 5º initial you either have a mechanical problem (battery, starter, poor elect connection) or you're misreading your timing. I run 38º total with 17º initial in my 402 and have never had a hint of a starting problem.

Start at 32° and work up in 2° increments.

BBC's generally like 34°-36° total advance.

I agree that 5° initial timing seems way too low.

17° on the other hand seems high to me.

Just find the optimum timing for your configuration.

Do the timing first and then look at the carb to see if fine tuning is needed.

John 8)

Follow up/issue closeout--------

JerryH was right on. My problem turned out to be a bad "high torque mini starter". Though not veryyold, it wasn't doing the job. I replaced it with a rebuilt stock starter (you know, the 85 pound version) and it starts like a dream with 15 degrees of initial and 35 degrees total with no hint of kickback at startup or ping at WOT.

Now that I have starting power, I'll also take TXbusa's advice and advance it by 2 degrees at a time until I get optimal WOT performance

Thanks all for the feedback. it's been helpful.

Mike :-D