Right Pat, I agree. Maybe I am not making my point clear.
The "timing ramp" or "distributor advance curve" on any engine has no effect on peak HP or TQ. The "total timing" of a distributor does effect peak HP and TQ. By altering the "timing ramp" or "distributor advance curve" with the springs, changes the shape of the HP and TQ graph up to the point where "total advance" occurs. I believe proof of this is that some race cars are just lock at total advance to avoid trouble with the weights. Racer's would not do this if it effected their peak HP and TQ.
Page 101 of Smokey Ynunick's Power Secrets
First of all, our testing has shown that at engine speeds above 1500rpm, a racning chevy on gasoline requires a contant amount of advance. In other words, at racing speeds, there is nothing to be gained by utilizing the operating mechanism inside the distributor to provide additional spark advance. This mechanism is the primary source for timing irregularities, and when it is eliminated or made inoperative the distributor will provide an accurately timed spark to each cylinder. On the conventional delco type distributor, we usually disable both the centrifugal and vacuum advance systems and lock the mechanisms in the fully advanced position. Once this is done, the initial timing is set and the engine turns with a constant amount of advance at all speeds.
and Smokey would never do anything that adversely effected HP
thoughts?
Andy