I went back to this post because I just read LT1S10s comments about this on Why Isn't. First I dont know a lot about Big Blocks.Only owned two in my life. BUT--------- I know 45-46-48degrees of timing is a L_O_T_T_A timing. And Tho ,I dont know much about big blocks I certainly know the people that do.I called the one tonight that I value his opinion on this subject more than anyone else's. Many people just call him "MOORE" He has built somewhere close to 200 big blocks. In the 60's he raced 409 Chevys, Then switched to Pontaics and had a factory Sponsorship.Since the 70's he has been building big blocks for boats. If you have a 35 ft. boat and want to run over a 100mph he's the man people all up and down the East Coast call.
-He tells me that a 468 is now a small motor . Most that he builds are 540, 572 or bigger. Says the most timing he ever runs in any big block is 36 to 38 degrees.He tells me he did race a 454-450hp chevelle way back when that he would run 42 degrees on the holeshot , hit a toggle switch on the dash that dropped him back to 36 degrees.He wondered how anyone would get the car started with as much timing as some say they run,and he also ask if the people recomending all this much timing intended to help pay for the motors that would be distroyed.One more thing , the last big boat race in the area ,Sept 25th ,the top 4 money winners were his motors ,tuned as he directed.