2 degrees advanced timing

[derrick79]

So i heard this rumour that if you set your timing roughly 2 degrees before(advanced) factory spec, you will get more power out of your engine. Anyone else hear of this or do it?

[VileZambonie]

Two degrees won't make much of a difference. Tell us what you have

[derrick79]

I got a 76 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4. Powered by a stock 350 into a trubo 350, np 203 and dana44 HD up front and gm 14 bolt in the back.

[VileZambonie]

If it's stock use the old school method.

Advance it until it starts to ping and back it off. Make sure it starts easy. Check your timing and record it. Good to go.

[Da67goatman]

Speaking of Timing, I'm running 8 degrees with my mild 350 TBI.  It got so much better fuel efficiency and more response with 13 degrees, but it had trouble starting,  can I run the 13 degrees, or will the computer not correct that much for startup?

[derrick79]

Yeah the guy I was talking to about it said that in his expereince with 350's, after it pings and he backs it off, it usually ends up being roughly 2 degrees advanced

[78 Chevyrado]

You may want to advance it till it pings even if for only 2 degrees.   those old balancers will slip on the inner hub and screw up the timing marks accuracy.  when i set my truck to stock specs by the timing marks its a total dog, the way I have it set now its got power and idles so smooth and quiet at stop lights i sometimes think its stalled.

By the way, going off the stock timing mark, my trucks base setting is at 22 degreesby the stock timing mark, where the book says 8 degrees.  Im guessing, that if I set my truck to stock spec of 8 degrees by the timing marks, it really would be somewhere around 0 degrees ir maybe even a degree or two  ATDC

I just adjust it up 4 degrees at a time till i get a noise and then back off 2 degrees and let er hunt.  

[HIGHPLAINSDRIFTER]

I have a couple of newbie questions about timing.

1. Should I be listening for the pinging while the engine is under load or at idle?

2. With direction do you turn the cap to advance the timing?

Thanks

[Grim 82]

CCW advances it , CW retards it. Pinging is more obvious under load.

[70 beater]

You can play with your distributor some also, to limit how much it advances. You can run more initial lead this way. I've got 18* initial and 34* total.