quote:8860. I can set the knob in the center and adjust my timing 7 degrees up or 7 degrees down. I have eliminated all knocking and pinging and I can start it slightly advanced to reduce drag on the starter,
You are still slightly confused; draging starter is too much initial, adding advance makes it worse.
If your initial is too advanced, but the final is right, consider opening up the span on the final and retard the whole distributer to reduce the initial and get the final back where it was, instead of playing fighter pilot.
Alternatively, you may have too much vac advance; the dashpot should be adjustable. If its adding 15-20 degrees that may be too much...10-15 may be more suitable.
Are you sensing ported or manifold vacuum?