Hey guys just wondering if I could get some opinions.
Just built a 454 bored .030 over with a 268 cam, 9.5:1 compression, and a hei distributor. I've been playing wigh the timing and have found it seems best at 20° base timing and 42° total with the vacuum advance unhooked.
It doesn't have any sighns of detonation on the plugs and I can't hear anything that sounds like detonation either.
I followed a build that was in hot rod magazine that is very close to mine and it said there total advance was 40° so I'm thinking 42° is probably fine, As long as there's no harm being done .
Anybody ever hear of timing being set this high?

 

If there's no knock, go for it. I run mine at 42 degrees, but I run higher octane fuel. Also play with the springs on the weights on your distributor. I usually run a soft spring on one side and a medium spring on the other.