New FBO ignition. Initial timing question.

[Stewsta]

First start today on the 440 swap and all the ignition is new FBO stuff. It runs great but the happy spot with timing seems really advanced. I had some water leaking out of a couple header bolts so I drained it. I couldn't run it long enough to operating temps and it was in high idle but it was reading 32 degrees advanced vacuum unhooked with a light. Top dead center has been checked twice with a piston stop. I'm going to try and set it the right way tomorrow and just wanted some feedback on wether this an ok start point or if I should be looking at something in particular.
Spec for the distributor are supposed to be-
18* initial
Vacuum is 12* at 12"
Mechanical 16* at 3200
Sorry this is choppy and hard to read. My iPhone is brain damaged

 

[coloradodave]

As you said, it runs GREAT. I wouldn't worry about it until you get your leaks fixed and get it warm enough to idle at the correct RPM, UNLESS the engine is rebuilt and needs a break-in period. In that case, set the idle up to 2,500 RPM and let it run for the required 20-25 minutes ( a big floor fan in front of the radiator helps to keep it cool). During that time, have a timing light hooked up and jazz the throttle up until the timing mark quits advancing. Move the distributor (clockwise to advance, counter clockwise to retard) to set the total to +- 34* (without the vacuum can hooked up). When you're ready to road test it do a series of accelerations and advance the timing a couple degrees at a time until it starts to 'ping' and then back it off to where it doesn't. THEN check your initial timing at idle and set it there from then on.

 

[roccodart440]

18/34 is a great starting point. There isn't much to play with, 2-4 degrees tops. I think that will work fine for you. I run 15/35 and make just over 500hp.

 

[dvw]

Teflon paste should seal the header bolts. What heads and compression do you have? Factory heads 36-38 total, aluminum with angle plugs 32-34 total. Domed pistons may require another 1-2 degrees. Your initial should be pretty close 18-20. Too little is better than to much. I experimented last year. Normally we run 32 and was trying to slow the car down. It went 9.35@32 degrees, 9.40@26 degrees. I would have thought it would have killed it. A few years ago my son and I built a 340 Duster. 13.15@35, 12.88@33, 12.61@31, no other changes, back to back runs.
Doug

 

[Stewsta]

I got the leaks fixed and let her run for a bit. Initial was right where it needed to be. As for the mechanical and vacuum, I don't think I'll need to mess with that much since it's just a street car and Don at FBO is supposed to know his stuff.

 

[themechanic]

Please excuse fellow Okie for butting in but what is FBO?

 

[440beep]

FBO = http://www.4secondsflat.com/index.html