I'm having a hell of a time getting the timing right in my Cutlass. The engine is a 1970(?) 455 bored .060 over, 10.5:1 compression, stock W34 heads, Torker 455 intake, Edelbrock 800 performer carb, Mallory Unilite (YT) with vacuum advance. I'm trying to get the total advance set to 38 degrees. If I set the initial advance to 8 degrees, the total advance is about 52 degrees. I've tried bending the advance limiting tab inside the distributer, but there is little or no change. At 8 degrees initial advance, the engine starts very easily, and at 38 degrees total advance, the engine runs beautifully at 3000 rpm. I just can't seem to get it set to get the timing to do both. Can anyone help, or at least point me in the right direction?
