advanced timing school please
There's been tons and I do mean tons written about this. A thread or two:
http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=178584
http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=251553
http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=194463
For anyone to help you need to post what it is that you are working on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Basic steps............for a typical wedge V8, "typical."
Recurve or obtain a performance distributor with no more than 20 crank degrees advance "to start."
Set up initial timing with vacuum gauge and or tach, adjust for max vacuum while readjusting idle back down low, and max idle RPM. Retard just a touch if necesary. Also pay attention to starter kickback
Check total (without vacuum) at high RPM so it is advanced for reference. Drive car. Dyno or strip numbers and read plugs, will help tell you what total you want
If you run vacuum (and should on the street) this will be on TOP of total. Some engines like as much as 50-55 degrees counting vacuum.
Make sure no pink at midrange, which can be a problem, etc