Ignition timing

is it a stock type dist, or aftermarket. start off at 10deg. the bump it up 2 deg at a time till it ping then back off 2deg. youll know when theres to muck timing when it wont start ussualy mid to high teens in deg.

It is a complete Ford Duraspark electronic kit provided by Larry Stock.
It sounds like you're suggesting the old it seems to start and run method.I was looking for a definitive answer if there is one.
Thanks Mike,
Matt

I have found out that you need to play with the timing. These motors were designed for high octane fuel that is no longer aviable. I took my pantera to a place in Portland Or called Majhor Murrays and them recurved the dist and reset timing. It now runs really strong.

There are 3 settings you need to adjust. 1)- the initial at the harmonic balencer is 6 degrees. 2)- the engine is started and the vac hoses disconnected & plugged. Initial PLUS whats in the centrifugal wts inside the distributor should not exceed about 34 degrees @ 3200 rpm. 3)- hook up the vacuum: total now should not exceed 38 degrees @ 3200 rpm. ANY pinging, back down #1, #2 and/or #3. Best power will likely show up @ 32-34 degrees total on pump gas.

Thanks Jack,see you in Vegas.

Jack,
Is the procedure you mentioned above the same for a car with dual points?

I have the original 11:1 compression on my early Pantera. Will I still end up with 32-34 degrees on this engine?

Thanks.
Bob Eaton

The advance set-up for dual points (like I run) is the same except you slip a matchbook cover between one set of points to disconnect them, then set up your timing. The extra point set increases possible dwell angle.
Bob, for an 11:1 engine with iron heads, you'd do better to slip maybe two 0.042" thick composite head gaskets on each side between the heads & block to drop the thing to 9:1. Your timing has to be backed off a bunch to even let the engine idle, or you're running it on race gas all the time. A really radical cam will drop the combustion pressure down enough at lower rpms to let the engine live at 11:1 on pump gas, but it's risky & driveability goes to pot. IMHO you'll get more mid-range and better driveability @ 9:1 CR and a little more initial timing. My SVO with aluminum heads & a cam occasionally pings at 10:1 on 92 octane pump gas.