Reply to "How to do the ignition timing on a mangusta"

One thing to add. If you have a car with the smog pump removed, as well as the tubes, etc; then do not forget to change the vacuum advance mechanism on the distributor to a pre-emissions part, like 1964 or before.
I do not know about Fords but the B-1 is the pre-emission vacuum advance used on all GM high performance engines.

I did not know what that part attached to my distributor did so I found out on the internet when trouble-shooting my engine idle problems. I changed it to a B-1 and it felt like I took 1000 pounds off of my car in first gear coming off of idle.
The early, 1967-70 engines had vacuum advance mechanisms that RETARDED the spark at idle, pouring gas into the exhaust manifold so that the fire could be lit to eliminate the unburned hydro-carbons. Your government at work! This also led to idle overheating and low fuel economy. This is the opposite of what it used to be, 12-14 degrees at idle speed.

To properly set timing you have to consider all effective factors, car weight, engine size, tuning, etc,; tire size and final gear ratio.

Just run the highest advance you can for the best fuel economy, the performance will follow.

Dick Ruzzin