Retarding Timing on Blower Motor

[A/AModelT]

Hello All! I have a question to pose, but first I just wanted to state that I really enjoy this site. I find my way on to a lot of them, but rarely post unless they are top notch and this one really is. Ok, enough of that!

My buddy and I are putting together a blown sbc for my altered and we are in need of some advise on the timing.

Here are a few specs:

377 with 7:1 (static) compression
8-71 blower pushing 16 lbs of boost
Hilborn 4 port mechanical injection
MSD pro billet dist with rev limiter (8k) and boost retard
powerglide tranny shifting at 7500
powered by C12

I have spoke to a few guys and they tell me since I will be locking out my distributor to start with the advance at 28* and slowly advance it to max of 32* . Some guys tell me I do not need to run boost retarded ignition others do. I just do not know what is best. It would seem that performance may suffer without retarding it. My compression is low enough that I don't feel knock is a concern (should be under 15:1 dynamic). If I do use the MSD retard then do I set it to where it retards it 1* for every pound of boost or more and what do you think I should lock my timing at? Thanks,T

[Moparious Maximus]

If you know what you are doing and keep an eye on your tuneup, you wont need a timing retard. If you want to run it like a regular bracket car and never check the plugs and be 100% safe all the time, yea its probably a good idea.

IMO, there are 2 factors. Do you trust yourself tuning it? ..... How well will you take it if it does hurt itself?.

[A/AModelT]

On my own I would be concerned, but my buddy built promod engines for Reher-Morrison but he's never fooled with blowers before. I'm just trying to kinda get a baseline from some of you that have been down this road before. Oh and I would be
deeply sick if we fouled it up! LOL!

[wikd69]

I've been running a 427 bbc - 8:1 static w/671 making 8 lbs of boost, spinning to around 6500 - dcr of about 11:1 - I ran 32 to 34 degrees total advance on a locked out Unilite distributor with no boost retard - 112 fuel on the track. Of course, I drive mine on the street as well as making the occasional pass down the qtr, so I'm probably not as harsh on mine as you'll be on yours.

[A/AModelT]

Thanks for the reply! It really helps hearing what others are doing.

[mbaker3]

I have a 32 Bantam Altered with a 406 SBC, 8-71 blower, Enderle Bird Injector, 10.5:1 static. Right now I am running about 16 # boost and the distributor is locked at 30 degrees. I do not run a retard. So far, running alcohol, I haven't experienced any detonation damage. I do keep it happy by running a little bigger nozzle than needed, giving up a little on the top end. I understand about not wanting to do any damage. I fund everything out of my own wallet also!

[A/AModelT]

Mean looking Bantam! Looks like most guys aren't fooling with the retard. I'm thinking I will probably skip it myself.

[A/AModelT]

Some fellas on another board seem to think because my cam has 114 lsa that I will run into detonation problems with C12. If so it seems the easy fix would be C16. Thoughts?