intial timing for a 400 big block

whats the intial timing setting for a 400 mopar motor

Depends a lot on what kind of 400. If dead stock, year and car type would determine factory settings.

If the engine is warmed up at all (especially cam change) best settings may be quite different.

These were 10* advanced from the factory. You may be able to give it a few degrees more for a bone stock motor. As said before, upgrades like hotter cam, more compression, etc. will want more timing.

fastest would be to set the initial to 15 then shorten the slots to get 36 total (can unplugged) then mix/match springs so you are just under the pinging point at WOT up thru the gears on your hottest/driest day (no matter what RPM that makes the slots max out at) then plug/adj the can (CCW makes it come in slower). that'd get you REAL close. You could set the initial with the vac gauge method then shorten the slots to get 36 total (initial+slots) and then the springs then the can. the slot length= so many degrees chart is around but if you can find it when you get your initial I'll find the slot length for you (to get 36) if you wanna weld/file the slots EDIT .412" will get you 21 from the slots. And you definitely want to toss the heavy spring with the elongated loop on one end

RR, I'm going to say that 38 degrees total no vacuum is where I'd want to end up. Those low compression smog motors like spark advance.

In the same way, getting the advance in faster will help wake up the engine. So 15 initial, 38 total, all in by 3000 rpm would be my cookbook answer.

R.

I agree, low comp B's want alot more than most BB's

Not nearly enough info for anyone to give you an accurate answer.