Ok, figured since you guys helped me out with the balancer, I'd throw this out there too.

When it comes to timing, particularly, the vacuum advance, I really don't know what I'm doing.

This is the first engine I have ever built. It's going into a 69 charger.

This is what I've got to work with.

Feshly rebuilt cast crank 440, mopar performance electronic distributor, mopar performance version MSD 6AL controller, edelbrock performer 750 carb. (452 heads, stock low-rise intake manifold)

The engine will be, for the most part, assembled, after I get a harmonic balancer, and depending on if I need to re-balance the crank, but that's another issue!

The crank, camshaft, timing chain set are all timed/indexed, and the distributor is in position. From this point, timing wise, what do I need to do?

Thanks in advance, er.... no pun intended

I would put the light springs in the distributor and set total timing at 33 degrees with NO vac.advance.
Gus

Ok, I'm gonna reveal how little I know about timing.

What springs, where would I get them, how do I figure out "total timing". I've never done this before. All I've ever done is adjust the distributor position. But I'm willing to learn.

Thanks, learn something new every time I use this forum.

What is the advantage of not using any vacuum advance?

You were asking about vac advance, it's purpose is economy. That is it's main advantage.
In more radical applications, it does very little, while on a more stock application there is no real reason NOT to run it, as it will help with economy, and keeping the plugs clean..

I think to make a better timing recomendation, we need some cam specs, and gears, converter stall speed etc..



If the motor is mostly stock (which it sounds like with a low rise intake, iron heads, and a 750 eddy carb) with matching stock/mildish stuff, like say a 268 advertised duration cam, a stock stall and 323 gears, then 10 to 14 inital timing, with a total of 34 or 35 all in by 3000 rpm or so. Add on maybe up to 10 or 12 in vac advance to help it out at cruise.

Same motor with an mp 509 cam, 4000 stall, and 411's will need more like 22 inital, 35 total all in 2500, and no vacuum advance needed.(and will also work better with a bigger carb and manifold )

The main thing, to remember, is to shorten the advance slots, so you don't have too much total with the base timing you use.

Total timing is often overlooked, and is one of the most important numbers