Hey all , heres another question , We run a locked msd dist with 30 to 34 degrees timing, we have no test and tune at the local mud pits and I cant find a long enough spot to test truck past the 1-2 shift, we installed a msd ign control but have had problems with it< seems to cut back spark from strong to fair> so we time it with a light when we make any changes and bypassed the timing unit, We mostly run @ night and mud racing and tuning between rounds is hard due to MUD so we cant make simple changes fast, It seems my 414 w5 small block will start easy as long as the timing is somewhere close 20 to 40 degrees , we have been running 33 degrees for the most part ,We mostly run 110 octane but if we will run av gas 100 LL sometimes, we are @ 12 to 1 comp and cant tell a diff between fuels , I have never seen any sings of pre Ign or det , as rpms increse over 6500 do I need more timing lead ?

Your asking something that really cant be answered
easily. If you can run less octane and it runs fine,
then the higher octane would need more timing BUT
I would say run the lower octane with the faster burn
front. I dont run a locked dist but its all in by
1500 rpm so it doesnt matter except for starting

Thanks mike , Ive been trying to max out my rig ,Looking for a gain between 6500 and 7 so timing would be a easy gain, Cant really see too much change when messing with fuels and timing so cant figure how far to push it, we run a little fat so I was thinking of going up to 36 or so , but we are the only mopar around, The chebby guys all run 40 + degrees but they are chebbies , the lack of test and tune time makes this a lot harder.

well mud tracking and truck pulling is somewhat of a close sport. i am running a pro stock 500 ci 440 at 32 deg timing with 93 oct, and my father also runs a 400 stroker on 118 oct at 32 deg. seems the ole 440's like between 32-34. my

If your running one of those MSD timing retards, or starter retards...Take it out and pitch it over the hill.
No kidding

LOL
Yea, i tired my best to run one. Made the engine kick back horribly. Loaned it to a buddy, he called me back saying it had already broke his starter nose cone. LMAO
I did play with the MSD dist some before. I found that running Only ONE light spring, and just using some wire to wrap around the other springs place, to secure the weight etc worked just as well as locking it out. I ran the largest black bushing to limit mech advance the most. IIRC timing was set at 20-22 deg initial, and 36-38 deg total. As soon as it fired total timing was all in at idle (1200 rpm).

Hey any small blocks with closed chambers running timing over 34 degrees? if so post some specs and gains or losses with timing and fuel, think of it as helping the lame < those of us who cant test and tune > thanks

The msd timing control was a waste of time , running thru the controler we lost prob 50% of spark , if you run one pull the plugs , set them up on the wires , groundem and dimm the lighrs wile cranking, you wont believe the diff when running thru the timer contol as to just msd cd box, well thanks all for the info, we will turn it up to 36 on 110 and see whats up, if I cant see a diff we may go with 33 and 100ll av gas , with intake closing we only make 200psi cranking , the e85 is starting to intrest me too, Ill follow the posts and see how the e85ers are doing. Thanks again Craig// PS// fred, hows the sheep?