Read where 6 cylinder mustangs perform better when the timing is set beyond the factory recommended setting. Anybody familiar with that?

 

no, but im sure theres a limit to how far byond you could go safely/reliably. example of timming, standard 302/289 vs a HIPO engine. the HIPOs use more timing advance (i believe, but dont know exact specs. i should find out. anyone know?)

 

I am running mine below stock if I remember right. Manual is 6 degrees and I am running at 3 (i think).

 

well, with a vaccum advance, it doesnt really matter what the advance is set at because the vaccum advances it (it basicly is just the idle advance).
but with a locked or welded distributer, the vaccum advance is not used, therefore when you set the advance, it will stay that advance throughout the power curve. it usually helps with takeoff off of corners (aka stock car racing). also, the more advanced the timing, generally the better the engine performs, it does also start harder and is a lot harder on the starter. but if you do go too advanced you can get spark knock (from my understanding its when the spark plug sparks before or when the piston hits TDC).
the more advanced the timing, the hotter the engine also runs, so make sure that the cooling system is up to the task or you could overheat and really hurt the motor (happened to us a couple times with the race car, we burnt through rings etc etc)

thats all i can think of right now....

 

Well, since it's a tired old 6 cylinder I'll probably either set it to specs or maybe a hair ahead.

 

if its a tired sixxer, id go stock...

im not 100% sure on how much timing ford v8's can take, but ive run 36* advanced with a welded dizzy on a bone stock chevy 305 and 350. before we ran into cooling issues (crappy radiator) but it sure did have some good torque off the corners!