Ignition Timing 445 FE

[kdavies3]

Hi Guys,
I have my 445 running now having bled the cooling system.
What are the recommendations for the ignition timing?
I have it at 15 BTDC at the moment (no vac) at idle.
I'm not running vac advance at all, so what are the best numbers at least as a starting point?
I know the best way is on a rolling road but I'm just looking to get a good starting point.
Also what idle speed should aim for?
I currently have 650-700 rpm.

Cheers

[Clois Harlan]

Mine made max hp (645) at about 40 deg advanced. I am running solid lifters, Holley Race Carb, MSD, and a pretty agressive cam, with a Performer RPM intake.

[ERA Chas]

Start with 18 initial and 36 total in by 2600. Will probably get a bit more power by going to 38. Avoid 40 unless race gas. Check hot starting when going up in total.

[blykins]

Anywhere around 12-18 degrees initial should be fine. If you have a basic starter, you may find that the upper numbers may cause it to crank a little more sluggish when it's hot.

Since total matters a little more, most of my FEs usually like anywhere from 34-38 degrees total.

A quick timing curve will help out on the "seat of the pants" feel.

[kdavies3]

Thanks Guys.

[Barry_R]

We run them at 18 initial and 36 total. MSD billet with black bushing and one light silver & one light blue spring.

[wrench87]

quick question, on my 445fe i have the black bushing and 2 light blue springs and i am running 18 btdc it feels like i need more. how much of a difference is it between my set up and the one barry reccomended?.

[blykins]

If initial is set at 18 with the black bushing, you should be at 36 degrees total, so that will be pretty close....you would probably need to get it on a dyno to see the difference in +/- degrees.

Two light blue springs should put total timing in by 2500. In a lightweight Cobra, that's perfectly fine. Barry's spring setup would be quicker on the curve. You may notice a difference and you may not.

[gsharapa]

I have an all aluminum 496 FE with solid roller with 10.7 compression (93 pump gas) built by Keith Craft. He told me to keep it at 40 total advance where he dyno it and it made 681 HP (run rpm up until it stops advancing 3,000 or so) and set it at 40. Mine idles around 900. I've run a bunch of big small blocks at 34 and 36 and was nervious about 40 degrees on this big block so I backed it down to 36 and then 38 and it ran hotter and not as good. Put it back on 40 and Keith was right that they like a lot of timing as it starts great, run much cooler and outstanding power and drivablity!