just about ready to drop my distributor in

i know to set total timing at 34degrees. Was oretty simple on the last motor since my dizzy was locked. This one is not

just for dropping it in for intial start up where should i set it? 12 degrees? Ill set it with a timing light but trying to get it close to start with.

What CID engine, what heads......

What everything...lol.........what are you using for timing advance ?...if your running a 24* advance mercury module set the base @ 10 for a total of 34

I guess thats what i was asking is how much advance is there on the msd dizzy / msd box

509 w/ promaxx heads. I figured id drop it in with initial timing at 12. Then adjust total to 34

Just trying to find a good starting spot is all

he is installing a msd distributor,yes, 12 deg initial is a good starting place.

read the papers that came with the msd dist,it comes with an assortment of springs for changing centrifical advance amount&rate.

The MSD distributors I have worked with come with 4 Advance Stop Bushings. You can tell how much advance is in it right now by the color of the bushing installed in it. RED 28*-SILVER 25*-BLUE 21*-BLACK 18*. I would recommend using the largest one (Black). If you set the timing at 34* then it should be 16* at idle. If your running a big cam in it which I would suspect you are you will find that it idles better and cleaner with more timing at idle. In fact you can even get a stop bushing that limits it to 10* which would give you 24* at idle if set for 34* total. Tuning MSD Distributors

I agree with picklenjim,,I use the Black Bushing,, so my 540's get more advance at idle,,it works great

I would coat the springs and weights, and reluctor wheel, with CRC-SP400 corrosion inhibitor, other wise they will rust, fall apart, weights sticking, etc.