question about putting in a distributor and timing on a sb

[Lil Ape]

When I put my distributor in after I installed my new manifold. I did it by setting the #1 piston to tdc and set the harmonic balancer to 0 degrees on the timing tab. Then I dropped the distributor in with the rotor pointing at #1 cylinder. Then started up the truck and took my timing gun and set the timing to 15 degrees advance. My question is when I set the harmonic balancer to 0 degrees on the timing tab, did I do it right or should I have set the balancer a few degrees advaned first, then drop the distributor in? Is thats whats called initial timing? Im still learning on how to set timing
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[Jabes1]

You're fine. It started and you adjusted the timing. You can drop the distributor in at 10 or 15 degrees advanced with the rotor pointing at number one and essentially set it that way. You can verify with a timing light.

[midgainc]

I had a carb rebuilder tell me the other day that you are wasting time trying to adjust off of an inaccurate timing tab bolted to the timing chain cover. his advice was to put a vac guage on the intake and adjust the timing for the highest vacuum, which should be in the 17-19 in range. I have not tried it, but i will when i start mine soon. it makes sense. the engine will produce the highest vacuum when it is happiest.

[geezer#99]

Originally Posted by midgainc

I had a carb rebuilder tell me the other day that you are wasting time trying to adjust off of an inaccurate timing tab bolted to the timing chain cover. his advice was to put a vac guage on the intake and adjust the timing for the highest vacuum, which should be in the 17-19 in range. I have not tried it, but i will when i start mine soon. it makes sense. the engine will produce the highest vacuum when it is happiest.

And if you set it like that you'll burn a hole in the piston's when it detonates.
Use a good dial back timing light.

[Jabes1]

Agreed... also adjusting your carb properly at idle will can raise vaccum.