[Squidward]

Adam, I set up my timing similar to yours. I don't have as much vac advance, tho, like 17 max. Geoff from across the pond had PM'd me to help me accomplish pretty much the same thing.

I like the MVA setup that he PM'd me. It was one of the more comprehensive attempts to give me some setup instructions. Let's face it... I had little to go on, so he stepped in and gave me way more than any other advice I had received before. My car ran way better than at any other time, and it helped me understand some things. I thought he was helpful.

I'm running a 220/227 cam in a 350. It idles nice at 700 rpm. Compression is 9-something. It runs a little hot, so I am am willing to revisit my timing and tune once I get my cooling system bulletproof.

IIRC, while monitoring my truck's 5.3 LS with a bluetooth plug-in and android app, advance at cruise was something like 47*. I actually plan on plugging in again and I want to plot out some timing on that engine over various operating conditions.

If anybody has anything to offer up other than "drive it until it pings, and then back off 2 degrees", then I'm listening. What's unfortunate for those of us NOT in the know is that those that ARE in the know might risk undermining their professional livelihood. I get that.

Maybe a timing/tuning sticky thread is in order. It would be nice to have some of the experts hash out some details, like how to set optimal initial, mechanical, and vacuum advance. It would be nice to know the goods and bads of too much or too little timing, like "runs hotter", or "less power", etc.

Even things like mechanical advance: how much to add and why, because that will influence where the initial has to be for WOT. Should mechanical timing come in early or later, and why? What is the upside/downside of either? Everybody has heard of the magical 36 total init+mech, but the mystery comes in what proportions and at what rpm.

If someone wants to lay out how THEY would set up each facet of timing (init, mech, and vac) and what parameters they use for optimum determination (idle, manifold vacuum, etc.), then I'd say start a thread with your technique. And then others can offer up their technique along with their "whys".

THAT would be a gift to the community.