Thread: timing on a 454?

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Basic build up is this:
Car: 1970 Chevelle
Trans: M22 4 speed manual
Gears: 4.10's

Engine:
454, ~10.0:1 CR, 230 @ .050 cam (CompXE274 IIRC), MSD 6AL ignition w/o vacuum advance, Eddy performer RPM, Holley 800cfm Double pumper, headers, 2.5 inch dual exhaust.

Intended for mostly street and having fun, with occasional romps down the 1/ mile.

What kind of initial timing do you guys recommend to start with? Where do you think the big block will be happiest around at full advance? When do you think total timing should be in by? I just want some reasonable starting points to save alot of time and hassle...

Sorry for the newbish question...I'm a mopar, small block guy helping out my buddy with his GORGEOUS chevelle...showing him a couple tricks of the trade

36 and i like it to be all in before 2700 rpm try to put 26 in dist and 10 on crank

with the same set up i run 14 inital and 38 total it works a 11 second pass for me and i drive it everyday

this is a lot 38 it better to work your way up 35-36 is better to add as it like it .i have used this set up on lot of 10 s and 11 s street cars .start low and work your way up not all engines are the same you can run more on the crank but you should start low and work the way up

Originally posted by pat mccarthy
36 and i like it to be all in before 2700 rpm try to put 26 in dist and 10 on crank

I agree. This is our baseline setting for the dyno. It is a good starting point.

Originally posted by pat mccarthy
36 and i like it to be all in before 2700 rpm try to put 26 in dist and 10 on crank

Ok explain that to me.....26 in the dist?....(And i know what the dist. is....lol....but still a motor noob)

this is the amount the dist has in it to advance the curve mechanical and the springs make it come in faster.the advance can be limited by limit bushings msd .older mallory use a key and some use screws like accel .and some by timing computers crane cam as one you can set with a twist of a dial and no spring or weights . but i like the msd stuff

this is the amount the dist has in it to advance the curve mechanical and the springs make it come in faster.the advance can be limited by limit bushings msd .older mallory use a key and some use screws like accel .and some by timing computers crane cam as one you can set with a twist of a dial and no spring or weights . but i like the msd stuff

just listening in here, i understand what you mean by the the amount the dist has in it, but then where does "in the crank" come in to play?

The distributor provides timing that varies with engine RPM and engine vacuum. That's variable timing.

Crank timing is set by the timing marks on the harmonic balancer on the end of the crank. That's static timing. Once set, it doesn't change.

Uglyvaliant, you really should use a vacuum advance dist. if this is primarily a street car....it will run better all around. For that matter, a vacuum secondary carb will help a little too.