should timing be set "by the book", or tweaked?
 

My Haynes manual indicates my idle advance should be 4 degrees BTDC. Is that it? End of story? Or is this something which should be fine tuned?

I have heard horror stories of people shortening the life of their motors by "tweaking" their timing, and my 292 doesn't have any provision for knock sensing, so I don't see how I would even know if I had pushed things too far until my pistons start grenading...

Re: should timing be set "by the book", or tweaked?
 

"seat of the pants " has always been good to me. what seemed to work best for me was advance the timing till it just starts to ping , then back it off a degree or 2 . hope it works for you

Re: should timing be set "by the book", or tweaked?
 

I keep mine at 4 deg. BTDC. Since tuning it to that (as apparently I was driving it with the wrong ignition timing for a short time) the motor stopped running so hot and held idle a LOT better. They're not performance or anything, you just gotta eye it at 4 deg BTDC.

Re: should timing be set "by the book", or tweaked?
 

agreed ThatOneBlue67. I just set to 4 degrees advanced (as per recommendation in the Haynes manual), and it runs like a champ. engine warms up and then holds steady at the same temp.

Re: should timing be set "by the book", or tweaked?
 

Just depends on the motor but I always am of the rule the most intial advance it can take with out pinging will net the most power. I have Never had any heat issues or idle problems. Mine is a little more than stock maybe 330HP and it is set at 13 deg with nor problems.

Re: should timing be set "by the book", or tweaked?
 

I agree, but I would not suggest this method unless you are sure that you know what spark knock sounds like. You can destroy an engine with uncontrolled or undetected detonation (pre-ignition, spark knock, knock, pinging, and detonation are all terms for the same thing). It will start by breaking the upper ring lands off of the pistons, then it will break compression rings leading to scored cylinder walls and sometimes it will put holes in pistons. Detonation will usually occur first when the engine is under load (almost lugging).

Re: should timing be set "by the book", or tweaked?
 

I use the up to ping/then back a bit method for great results.If you don`t hear a ping,it ai`nt pingin`.:)

Re: should timing be set "by the book", or tweaked?
 

if you haven't degreed your cam so that you know exactly where the timing marker is in relation to TDC then it's just guesswork anyway is it not??

Re: should timing be set "by the book", or tweaked?
 

i had to play with mine a bit after intsalling the cam, was to advanced and i broke 2 starters before i figured it out. but you sound like your on the rite track .

Re: should timing be set "by the book", or tweaked?
 

It depends on how the enging is built, fuel used, AND altitude. Where I live at 9,000 ft, with a factory engine, I must run 4 to 6 degrees aditional initial advance or it runs like a dog. Your ear is the best way to set the timing unless you're using an open exhaust and can't hear the enging ping.