Just put a 2bbl Holley 2280 conversion on my 74 Duster 225 slant 6 with MSD ignition. Also put on Dutra Dual exhaust manifolds.

How far should I advance the timing? I have heard everything from 4-6-8 to 12 degrees?

What is it ?

julie-roth@woz.org

Due to manufacturing differences (both planned and unplanned, like misset cam centerline or worn timing chain), your best timing setting will depend on your specific car. I would take the factory spec, advance the timing 5 deg and drive it for a while. Listen for pinging on uphills or when hot and under medium-hard acceleration. If there is no pinging, then advance another 2-3 degrees and listen again. Repeat until you hear pinging, then back it off 2 deg.

Happy tuning,

Lou

As Lou pointed-out, every engine is different so the answer is "advance it untill it pings, then back-offsome". As reference, the initial timing on most stock SL6 can be in the 6 to 8º without pings, some take even more.

You will find that it runs better as you advance it but don't let it ping & knock, that breaks pistons & rings.
DD

Are you the PhD that wrote that great article on the MSD upgrade for the old "Tailfins" site?

-D.Idiot

Yes... that's me. The MSD was the best addition I ever did for my slant six. My friend is now trying to get me interested in converting it to EFI.

Will it never end ? .. ( just kidding.. its fun and I am always learning something new, especially from this great web site )

julie-roth@woz.org

No, it never "ends"...but it always makes things much more fun later Honest!

Good to see some of the tailfins people on this site...I still have a hard copy archive of the articles from that site for reference for my own Duster build-up...

-D.Idiot