Thread: ? about a bbc running 8 degrees btdc, total 30 degree at 3200 rpms

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have a rebuild(not by me) 1974 454 bbc, which I have just put in a 39 chevy. I don't know the cam, but would say it is a mild cam. I have always been told you want to run total mech. between 32-34 degrees at 3000 rpms,
I have a mallory unilite 9000comp dist., which has 24 degree mech timing built in , no vacum. so the intial should be 10-12 degress btdc, but the engine runs best with 8 degrees intial timing & 30 total. will running with that low of total timing damage the engine? or should I run the intial up to 10? the rearend is running 3.00 gears with 29" tall rear tires. one more question, why doesn't the dist. need a vacum advance for the engine?