[ERA535]

Cobralee:

I guess I was jumping to conclusions about your problem...does it crank fine but not start? Or does it crank just a bit and then the starter cranks really slowly for a second or two and then speeds up - like a timing problem. These are two separate problems.

427Aggie:

That really isn't the best way to time an FE. Each engine is a little different but the usual range of timing will be from 10 degrees to 16 degrees initial timing and 32 degrees to 42 degrees total.
A good general recomendation would be 12 initial and 36 total. That is what I am at and it cranks freely hot or cold - even with 11.5 to 1 compression and a standard starter.

Good luck.