Can anyone tell me what the total timing should be on a 1970 440 when all the mechanicals are in and what RPM I should be checking it at?

Thanks,
Joe

Depends a lot on the build. Generally a stock-ish big block is happy with around 38 total with the vacuum advance disconnected. All in around 2500rpm or so.

36-38 with vac adv capped. Toss the heavy spring & use the lightest spring combo that keeps it just under the pinging point at WOT up thru the gears on your hottest/driest day no matter where (RPM) it maxes out at. I'd start out with the OE light spring and a MP or Mr Gasket light spring & get it right then plug in vac adv & work with it under light throttle if using it. You can grind the "tips" of the weights to lighten them evenly in lieu of searching for heavier springs. I would start first with setting the initial with the vacuum gauge method then with that figure in hand shorten/lengthen the slots to get 36-38. Any (however slight) pinging you can hear is too much. EDIT I'm assuming the '70 still had high compression plus the no quench heads & todays gas so I'd stay at 36