Timing question
 

I recently purchased a chevelle with a 454 30 over and i think the timing isnt set right could anyone tell me what that it should be.

It will depend on the engines configuration to get a perfect tune. If it is relatively stock, a decent initial will be around 14 degrees at idle, with a total of around 34-36. Make sure that vacuum advance is unplugged from the distributor and the line is plugged when using a timing light.

This is a general, ball-park set-up. It should be a good starting point though. Good luck.

Tony's right on. Start with 14 and see how she runs. If the engine compression is not too high you can try adding a few more degrees at a time. Watch for detonation, if you get any you've gone too far and it can destroy an engine, drive easy and take it back down. Chevy big blocks like a lot of advance timing, I'm running close to 18 initial on a lower compression engine. Of course there's always higher octane gas that will let you run a more advance timing.

If you don't have a timing light, hold it at 3K RPM and rotate the distributor counter clockwise slowly. When it stumbles, back it off a hair and tighten it down. (do this procedure with the vacuum advance hose off and plugged.)

It's kind of a redneck way of doing things, but it will get you close. If the car starts hard after doing this, back it down a hair. I've done this at the track in a pinch with no tools and had good results. Why 3,000 RPM? More than likely that is pretty damn close to where your total advance comes in.

Thanks for answers all, sure will help! IM LOOKING FOR THE BEST SETUP FOR DAILY DRIVING

Best setup is the most advance the engine will take without detonation/pinging. It will improve performance, gas mileage and run cooler. As Tony said 14* is good start. Depending on the engine you may be able to go a few more degrees but for a daily driver start with 14 and see how it runs, I think you'll like it. GM has some crazy low numbers even on their new crate engines, like 4*. Run it like GM says and it will run hot and perform like a 4 cylinder.

That's where my neighbors new ZZ454 was set at by the builder. It ran like a pig and overheated. I set to 14* for him and he said it was like a different engine.