static timing

I just primed the pump, plopped in the HEI, primed the fuel to the fuel pump. My question is what should I static time the engine to?

I was figuring about 8 degrees advance, then with the engine running and about 20 degrees total advance it should get me pretty closed for the initial startup.

JG

 

4-8 sounds about right, mine is at 4 to curb a heat issue.

 

depends on your cam, I've got a Poston 114 cam and run mine at 12 deg. btdc. It seems to give it a little more go on take off. also i've heard other people say to advance timing a little bit over factory because the buick distributers centrifugal advance is a little lacking (i believe 22 deg is total timiing on a stock setup)

 

timing

also depends on the year of the engine , if it is stock .

 

"4 to curb a heat issue"?

It isn't retarded/slow idle timing that cools the burn, but MORE degrees than 4. Even 11.00:1 engines run between 8 to 12 initial degrees, and I always use the vacuum advance to get the idle timing to 18/20 after the engine starts.

4 initial degrees ain't nearly enough to help with a heating issue.