[Hal Copple]

"timing is everything"

In virtually every car or motor magazine i have read in the past few years, the Windsor motors the pro's build is run at 32 total. It is often mentioned that Chevy motors use a bit more.

I had my 396 ci windsor on a chassis dyno, and the operator ran it several times with different advances, it made the best power at 32 total, vacuum disabled.

When i ran inadvertently 36 total, i had some preignition.

I think the right advance is the right advance. I was tempted to run race gas at the track, and add a few degrees, but read about a test motor upon they did this, it made a bit less power.

So i set and keep mine at 32 total. It is not all in until nearly 4000 rpm, mechanical advance, and i intend to keep it there.

32 seems to a pretty universal Ford thing for Windsor motors.