So how do i shorten the slots in the distributer to change the amount of mechanical advance? right now its at 27 i have been told it would be best drop it down to aroun 21 to 24 that way i can bump the initial up to around 12 or 14 or even 16 and maintain 35 degrees total timing. If i dropped my total timing down to 31 or 32 that would drop my initial timing down to around 5 degrees. I will drop it to 32 degrees total timing and drive around when i change the timing i just time my 0 to 60 and see what timing total gets me there the fastest and 35 degrees total seems to be its best. Is 8 degrees initial and total timing being 35 degrees with 27 degrees mechanical advance not a good timing set up on a 360 magnum thats in a four wheel drive truck? remember this engine is not in a hot rod car but in a torquey four wheel drive truck, i am after torque more then horse power.