I was reading a Mopar how to book concerning various hi-po mods and it touched on a belt driven distributor for the 440. The set up was from MSD and included a crank trigger mechanism. The article said with this set up all the distributor does is spin the rotor and that there was no need for an advance mechanism. How then does the engine get ignition advance? A throttle position sensor? A map sensor? My newbeeness is shining through.

The total timing is set by the pick up, no advance at all. Mopar had a two pick up crank trigger system years ago, one was for starting and the other was for running, no longer avaible That was before programmable ECU or the new electrical engine control systems IHTHs

I debated running an MSD adjustable timing control to set a curve and take out 20 degrees for starting on mine.
Small block with front drive distributor and crank trigger.
But I decided to run it locked at 32 - 34 degrees and just make sure the motor is rolling over before I light the ignition.
It can be done a variety of ways , but I just don't think it's necessary.