Alright no laughing,ok maybe a little. Its my own fault for not remembering where I put it, but what is the correct procedure for timing an engine with an advanced timing light. motor is a slighlty built 1967 383 4bbl. the dist. was recurved to 22 degrees at 2500 rpm and 30 degrees point dwell. I was told 35 degrees total advance. what should I do next? Any help would be great. thanks, joe

If you have the distributor limited to 22 degrees at 2500rpm, you will need 13 degrees initial to arrive at 35 degrees total. Set the dial back timing light to 35. This will show with the timing mark on the damper at "0" or at the pointer at maximum advance. Rev it past 2500 to make sure the timing isn't still climbing past 2500.

If not you will have to advance or retard the timing and/or limit/de-limit the distributor until the desired stetting is achieved.

I would check total advance first. Pull and plug the vacuum line to the distributor (if equipped). Set your light at 35 degrees. Have a helper rev the engine to 3000+ RPM and set timing so it flashes at the zero advance mark. That will get your total set at 35 degrees.

Next, slow engine to idle. Do not move the distributor since its already set for correct max advance. Set the advance light to zero. Check timing with the factory marks. If idle is OK and advance is about where you want it you're done. If not, your distributor may need tweaked some more.

Note you could use the advance function of the light at idle or any other RPM. Adjust the advance light so it flashes at TDC and see where the advance setting lands. That's your timing. I just think its easier to set the light at zero and use factory marks as long as they go far enough.

I would start by setting the RPM to ~3000 with vac adv plugged then turning the dial till the timing slit is at TDC on the dampener. The reading on the dial will tell you your total advance (post it). then return it to idle with vac still plugged & then with the light knob turned back to zero see how much initial you have on the timing cover tab or turn the knob till the mark moves to TDC just like you did with the total & the reading on the knob is your initial & post that number. Ideally you'd want to set your initial with the vacuum gauge method then shorten the slots to get 36-38 total then work with springs then work with vac adv but if it's already been recurved it should be somewhat close & you likely dont want to recurve again so post what you have for inital when you turn the dist to get the total at 35 (dial on 35 & dampener slit on TDC) at 3K RPM & we'll go from there. Nothing wrong with your question at all. bottom line is you want to stay just under the pinging point in any mode of operation & any ping you can hear is WAY too much.

IMO, no way a 383 with even a mild cam will idle correctly with 13* initial.

thanks everyone, thats what I was looking for. I seems to be what I did before, but for whatever reason I was drawing a blank. I might have some time tommorrow, I will post the results.