Varying ignition advance on a 32 qv

Will be dynoing the car and playing with the distributor advance (mine is converted with a Mallory distributor, MSD and a Norwood adapter) this Saturday in San Antonio. All of my previous dynos were run with an idle advance of 11 and a max advance of 31 at 3500 rpm (a little less than stock at higher throttle settings). Will roll in 2 - 3 degrees at a time to see what happens, but will max at 36 - 37.

I know the qv's don't like as much advance as the 2v's (i.e. 40+) - any experience on this? I also am still running the stock plug gaps and have learned that I should open them up a bit with the MSD - other suggestions?

I'm up for lunch if you're in San Antone.

best
rt

Road report
Dyno appt. is not for 3 more days, but took it out on a short road test with idle advance at 14 advancing to 35 at 3500; Starts well and ran fine, no odd pinging or anything. Seemed pretty perky to me with great rip in response to dumping the throttle, but did not get much over 5500 rpm. Filled up with Techron Supreme in preparation.
Hopefully numbers this weekend, but she is tolerating the advance increase well so far...

DIY maintenence notes:
For those of you who don't have one of those adjustable advance multi function timimg lights, they are great! The single distributor on the aft bank makes adjustments quite easy, but the key to the whole show for my failing eyesight is painting the TDC timing marks white.

best
rt

curves

Russ,
Watch your spark plugs. Inspect with good light. If you see any small "balls" of alumimun on the gap or the insulation down inside the plug, you have detonation. That material is the top of the piston.Watch out for Hot days if you are on the edge. Hot intake air charge temperature can cause detonation that you would not get on a cold day if your advance is in the critical area. inspect carefully.

Bob - Many thanks
Will be starting the dyno runs at the original 31 total advance and go up step-wise until power loss. May then back off a bit for insurance.
Once I've found max power, will road test and check the plugs as you direct.
I'm actually expecting the best final number to be close to the stock 32.5 or so degrees at high manifold pressure.
Again, many thanks
Russ

I don't like the advance curves from teh Malory setup.
A) Too large at idle
B) advances too slow

See the green lines in the following for a better basic curve.


Even here, I wonder about the Digiplex line that run significantly under the green (or red) liines. This could cause the car to increase it appetite for octane.

Thanks Bob and Mitch -
Have gotten a recurve kit ($20) and will be steepening the curves this evening. Very easy to change and customize.
again, many thanks
rt

Initial report:

The previously illustrated top curve seems to be the best with max advance at 35 degrees.
Carb settings 40 dcnf, 36mm, 140, f24, 190, 55
Max power = 241.6 rwhp @ 6,700 ( ~ 294.6 flywheel)
Max torque = 201.9 rwft-lbs@ 5,300 ( 246 flywheel)

not bad for stock cams.

Russ, you GOTTA be damn proud of what you have done. I'm sure JRV, and those many others who post here will have to agree. That power level, with a stock bottom end Stock compresion ratio, even stock FI cams is a hell of an accomplishment!!!!!!!!