Does anyone know how much initial advance setting the timing to the ball on the flywheel yields?

When I got my 261 running I was very careful to set the timing exactly 'on the ball'. I also went to great pains to tighten the distributor down exactly in the center of the 'octane scale'.

My 51 Chevy 1/2 ton with 89mm (.70) overdrive and 3.50 rear gears gets about 14 mpg on the highway. I have about 1000 miles on a complete overhaul (.030 overbore, split exhaust, single Carter YF, 848 head).

Today just for giggles I advanced the timing to the last of the marks on the advance side of the scale. It seems like the throttle is more responsive and I don't have to push the gas pedal as far to maintain road speed. I can't get this engine to ping so I don't feel the timing is too far advanced. I will be getting a vaccuum gauge on the engine (as soon as I find it) to verify the timing settings.

The flywheel I am using came from a 235 truck engine if that makes a difference.


Remember 9-11-01--God Bless the USA
JUSTICE, not REVENGE, will prevail

1951 Chevy 1/2-ton Pickup truck