I have a '69 350, completely bone stock. I just took off the smog, timing is at the specified 4 degress BTDC. Which way do I turn the dist. to advance it? I've heard that it'll run alot better at 10-12 degrees. What are your opinions?
Thanks,
Matt

you turn the distributor counter-clockwise

the rotor turns clockwise.. and therefore turning the dist counter-clockwise will make it reach the desired plug earlier and therefore advance the timing.

you can run it to around 10 with points.. i ran a stock 69 350 at 15 after changing it to hei and using rapid fire plugs..

I agree with cthulhu counterclock wise to advance. You should try 6 degs. initial with a total of 36 degs. at 2500 rpms. check for ping under load back off if needed. Go further with initial in trying to reach the 36.

yeah 36 or so is good at 2500 rpms

but I like the initial a little higher.

you may need to change your rotor springs to get the total timing right.. often with an older dist.. the springs are worn out and your total timing will ramp too high.. which makes you turn the initial timing down.. when its really not the initial casuing the problem.

if you have any kind of performance distrib (like an MSD).. you generally get 3 sets of springs which can be used 6 different ways in combinations to adjust your timing ramp rate and 4 different timing limit bushings to help you set you maximum total timing.

if you are setting a bone stock dist.. try going to 10 and buy a new set of springs for the dist. if you romp on it and it clatters.. then turn it back in 1 degree increments.