can anyone tell me what spring set up i should be useing in my distributor.it came with two heavy silver springs installed.it seems to be running good.but is it running its best.here is my specs 396 30 over 063 heads stainless valves edlebrock air gap 750 holley dp. with a 274 hyd comp cam. four speed with 373s out back. any advice would be helpful.

You are the one who can tell. You'll need a 'dial back' timing light. (or timing tape/marks up to 45 degrees BTDC) Your engine "probably" needs somewhere around 34 degrees total advance, all in by 2800 or so. The total advance is the initial, a guess here would be 14 or so, set at idle (vacuum advance disconnected and plugged) and mechanical, set with the springs also with (vacuum advance disconnected and plugged) running engine up to maximum advance and note reading/rpm. Adjust this "curve" with the springs (don't move dist).

34 deg total would work with his setup but it would be a little weak feeling due to 34 deg total being a little retartded for most perf cam's, even a mild perfcam will generally like at least 36 deg total with 063 heads and many run well with 38 total .

That cam in a 396 needs approx 36-38 total and at least 18 deg if not 20 deg base timing.

Have someone setup the dist for 18 deg max in by 2800rpms.

Then try 18 base + the 18 deg setup in the dist for 36 total by 2800rpms.

That is a good place to start with that camin a 396/402 ,you could try 20 deg base for 38 total but make sure you running 93 fuel to avoid ping and if it doesnt ping then try 91 fuel .

You can try tweaking the timing up/down a couple deg to see where your setup likes to run the best and feels the most responsive.

For street run a vac adv too hooked to full int vacuum all the time which helps the idle/improves throttle responce/inc fuel economy/and makes the motor run cooler esp in hot weather too..

Scott

Yeah Scott, I was just trying to be conservative since I'm not the owner. I didn't want to get his car pinging/detonating, etc. That's why I said "somewhere around". I forget that "most" people take this stuff too literally and don't "tweak" on their cars. :) As sure as "WE" the collective Internet have someone set their car up on the edge, the next post is "Why does my car make this rattle when I speed up" :D

Yeh Dave i hear ya one that one,not a bad thought for sure.

Thats why i mention running 93 fuel and listening for ping when i suggest a full street perf ign timing curve.

I also mention to try the timing up/down a few deg from there to see where the motor likes the timing the best which would naturally include where it runs best and doesnt detonate which is why i say to see where the motor like's the timng the best.

Scott