Spark Plugs and Timing

[Greg Curtis]

I have a 460 crate from ford 485hp and was wondering what spark plugs you guys use for the best performance. Also what are you setting your total timing at. I'm at 18 mechanical and 16 initial and the car is no slouch but I feel I could be getting more out of it especially on the bottom end.
Thanks
Greg

[ByronRACE]

Originally Posted by Greg Curtis

I have a 460 crate from ford 485hp and was wondering what spark plugs you guys use for the best performance. Also what are you setting your total timing at. I'm at 18 mechanical and 16 initial and the car is no slouch but I feel I could be getting more out of it especially on the bottom end.
Thanks
Greg

Carbureted? Mechanical advance only or mechanical+vacuum? What kind of distributor are you running? Are you sure the bottom-end isn't a fueling issue?

16+18 = 34; which is about right for total advance.

16 base advance is also about right.

However, how you get from 16 to 34 and when can make a big difference in the mid-band performance. Getting that curve right isn't easy...lots of trial and error unless you have a shop that has a distributor machine and can do this on a bench.

If you havn't seen this distributor yet...take a look. http://www.cranecams.com/index.php?s...&lvl=4&prt=127

It eliminates all that mechanical/vacuum stuff and makes things a whole lot more repeatable and predictable.

[Greg Curtis]

Byron
750 Holley with vacuum secondary which I understood was better for the street. MSD distributor and 6AL ignition box. Fuel pump I'm not sure it came with the engine I guess!