Basic Timing Tips requested
 

Where to start...
1965 Block
390FE bored out to 428
MSD6A Ignition box with Blaster Coil
Distributor is stock Ford (year unkown) with Vacuum Advance.

I'm new to this gig so bare with me and ask me more questions if i dont give enough info...

Generally starts fine. Runs Fine. I've read as much as i can about ignition timing -- idle, total... It seems as though i should be at 32ish total timing
(without vaccum connected).
When i am crusing around and maybe stepping on it a bit, i will get some "popping" -- not so sure i would call it backfiring (but maybe??)-- sometimes when i take my foot off the gas. It definitely isnt pinging.

So i try to "set the timing". I remove the vaccuum hose and plug it. set intitial timing at about 16ish at 800 rpm. monitor advance up to 3200rpm and i see it only goes to mid-20's (always seems about 10deg + idle set). Given my ignorance, i was expecting a bigger gap between idle timing and total timing. 1st question -- what is "typical" delta?

Then i heard/read that for a 10:1 compression ratio, ideal total timing is about 32.
2nd question -- pls confirm.

If so, and given what i believe to be a delta of 10 degrees between total and idle -- Can i just set the total at 32 and 3000-3200rpm and leave it at that?
if so, then i guess it may come down to "listen for pinging" or "depends on if your car starts when its hot" -- then if either or both, then i assume back off
from the 32 total until either no pinging or starts ok. pls confirm.

Next question is -- if i set total to 32 WITHOUT vacuum connected, then is it OK or correct to re-connect the vaccum or should i just run without the vacuum connected? Pros and Cons of with/without vacuum conencted? Seems when i drive with vaccuum disconnected and set at 32 TOTAL that car is a little less responsive (may be more of a "feeling").

My ignorance is exposed here (hence the request for any insight). I think i've read all that i can read, but it doesnt seem to apply to my car. I dont know if i just set it at 16 or so (by the way, what is the recommended idle set timing) and leave it alone, OR..do I set the total to 32. Either way, any guidance would be appreciated.

Next question (btw i'm a marketing guy, so i ask alot of questions) -- IF i wanted to get a NEW distributor for some crazy reason -- there are so many to choose from -- what do YOU recommend or at least what are the options.


Many thanks,
Steve

Sounds like someone "fixed" your dizzy, or it has a problem (broken advance spring or sticky mech advance).

For street use you ought to have about 20 degrees of mechanical advance (some like less, some like more), but ten isn't enough IMHO...That would give you about 12* initial, 32-35* total, all in by 2500 RPM. If you had those appr. settings, you could/should set it at full advance (mine likes 36* total), and let the initial be whatever it is (just remember it so you can set it at idle).
With all that, you could then hook up the vac advance and should be okay (but listen for pinging or rattle like you said).

The MSD billit and the Ford Petronix are popular replacement distributors.

The MSD Pro-Billet FE Distributor. http://www.msdignition.com/dist_22.htm You don't need a vacuum advance and you can start out with the springs and cam that come with it right out of the box. Set your timing to 32 degrees at 3500RPM for starters (don't bother setting your idle timing) and see how it runs. You can tweak it from there but you might find those settings are just fine.