Have a 351 Windsor that I am putting a MSD distributor in.
Have heard two different ways to set initial advance. One is ensure number one piston is on compression stroke by examining both rockers to ensure the valves are closed. Also check to see if TDC mark on balancer matches timing marker. Rotate engine until pointer is set to zero which is Top Dead Center (TDC) then stab distributor so that rotor pointer is close to where number one plug wire is attached to cap. However, you should be able to install distributor wherever you chose and simply rewire cap accordingly. cap can be rotated to get close to rotor button.
The other method is to set timing 10-15 degrees before TDC and stab distributor with rotor button pointing to where you want number one plug wire to go.. Number one plug wire can be anywhere on cap as long as correct firing order is maintained.
So, if I set it to 0 (TDC) and rotate cap to get 12 BTDC at idle or I set it to 12 BTDC then fire it up, results are same, I get 12 BTDC. Still need to adjust cap to ensure whatever initial idle I want is achieved.
So how do the timing experts install a mechanical advance distributor to get proper initial advance?
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351 Windsor stroked to 408 with Crane roller, MSD distributor and Crane box.
Martin
5S228