Timing for my car 400 sbc
 

On my Car I have a GM hei and I need to know the initial and what should the total be with the vaccum hooked up.

Thanks
Rick

The total should be your main concern. I would suggest a setting of about 32-34 total advance. Wherever the base falls to with that much advance is not really important. As long as it cranks over O.K. when the motor is hot, you should be fine..

Get a timing light that has a dial on it. Set the dial to 34 and take your rpm's up to 3500 and move your distributor until your timing mark lines up at zero. This will give you 34 total advance.

Disconnect the vacuum advance, plug the vacuum port on the carb. You can't adjust the timing accurately with it hooked up.
Set your initial at around 10 degrees. If you've got a timing light with a variable advance, rev the engine to about 3200 and set the total to about 34 degrees.
Run the car hard with the lowest octane gas you're likely put in it. Pull you plugs and check them. Readjust the timing as needed.
My $0.02
Gary