Thread: fresh 454 up and running, timing question?

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Start out at around 6-700 hundred. Keep your timing light on the tab and give it some gas slowly by hand. You will be able to see when your mechanical advance starts. Make your initial timing adjustments below the rpm when your mechanical advance starts. Keep an eye on your rpms, you may have to adjust your idle speed a little as you make timing adjustments. Timing changes could increase your rpms enough to kick in your mechanical advance a little.
A hand held tach that you can watch under the hood is helpful.

Also, if you don't already have one, get a timing tape for your damper. It'll take all of the guesswork out of setting your timing. I have a cheapo garage sale timing light, and I was able to dial in my timing fairly easily.