[bvega]

That crate motor has aluminum heads so you should be able to run 14 degress intial timing easily. Most guys run about 16 degrees initial timing with aluminum heads on 5.0 motors with 91 octane gas. If you live in states with higher octane then up goes the timing advance possible. Try it if you hear some pinging then go back and retard it one or two degrees till it stops. Since you have the Ford Racing motor with the hyperteuctic pistons you DO NOT want to ping often. Those pistons which were used in mustangs starting back in 1993 including the cobra were the crapiest pistons ever made and are very sensitive to pinging. You could easily blow your motor if it pings for an extended period of time. Much more so than pre 1993.