timing issue

[scotts74charger]

ahhh having same issue but with single 4 barrel engine had a bunch of leaks and biggest one from a head being broken where the valve cover bolted to it. any ways while i had eng apart i replaced the heads as well as timing set (was about 1/2 inch of play on both sides of chain. now after all of the that fixed new fuel pump filter and carb as well as pertronix igniton upgrade still have the sluggisnes at low idle off the start but runs great once get going and fired on the first try after rebuild. so dont know where to go from here

 

[V-Code]

where did you set your initial timing?

 

[Cranky]

Timing is an issue of what the engine likes....not what the book says. When you think about it, things are much different today than they were back in the late 60's as far as gas goes not to mention that nearly every engine build is different. A little bit of a compression difference, cam etc can shake things up for what an engine likes with timing. Higher compression tends to want less while lower compression generally needs more....and depending on what cam is being use. Experimentation is the key with this. That said, I generally start with no less than 10 degrees initial with engines with around 10-1 and 15 degrees initial with engines that have 9-1 or less.