debating whether or not I should lock the timing on the dist while I have the gear off before I put the motor back together

are any of you guys locking the timing on your boat motors ?

550 hp 454 carb motor
with MSD dist
thanks

My MSD mechanical distributor is locked, but we are using the Crane ignition box that has advance curve options.

Same here..MSD locked using a Crane Box.. 572's 650HP

I have been running a locked out MSD distributor with a MSD box at 34degrees. I have had good luck with it, my boat idles better and has less soot on the transom. I just built a new motor and put the mechanical advance back in, the only reason I did that is I have heard that at midrange cruise speed there is too much timing and may get detonation. I would rather go back to the locked out distributor, I am just paranoid about damaging new motor.

I run locked..MSD distributor #34.. MSD Crank trigger and MSD digital 6 box with start retard turned on. pulling 20degrees out at startup.. MSD starter also..

it will clean up the idle, the more aggresive the cam the better it works, but sometimes may start hard when hot with the timing locked....gear reduction starters help there...Rob

I ran locked out for years... 32* timing, bigger roller cam. Always worked good. MSD dist. Now I run a crank trigger with a home made box to control the timing..

When I ran my timing locked at 34deg I broke the ring gear loose from the flywheel. I bought a retard box from msd with a signal stabilizer built in, retarded timing 20deg at startup and really helped the motor fire off easier. Also made it easier to set timing witht the stabilizer.

I run mine locked @ 36*, no retard box. I run a Tilton starter, never any issues.

I have also been running the locked advance. MSD Digital 6 has a function where it can automatically retard like 20 deg or so to start and stays retarded until 800 rpm. Works great! Also can take some of the total advance out .1 deg at time or in 1 deg increments, works above 2000 rpm. Makes running the timing locked in more manageable.