what is a factory setting for timing we have ours at 7 degrees advanced without vacum lined connected and 25 total advance with vac advance hooked up is this a safe timing setting or no

289 4 barrel 600 cfm eldebrock carb with a eldebrock matching intake
we have hooker headers with 2 inch pipes with glass packs electronic ignition (pertonixII)

and what should idle be set at also

we have ours set at 725 when its cold and it goes to 757 when motor warms up

what should lifters be set at also we have one that is rattling on right bank but before i touch any of them i want to see what they should be set at i beleive its a hydrolic cam as i didnt build the motor 2 owners before us build it and have no clue how to get ahold of him

 

depends on the year for the timing. 6 to 10, as long as it doesnt ping. lifters, if adjustable hyd, anywhere from 1/8th to 1 turn from clicking. sometimes you can get a lazy lifter that will click for a while then stop.

 

I advance the timing until a slight ping can be detected, when accelerating at WOT. Then back off 2°. This gives you the best power and mileage. No number can be carved in stone, because each engine is slightly different. My 289HP runs very well at 14° BTDC initial timing.

 

On a new stock engine, use the book recommendations. But, on a real engine that's been modded or has a lot of wear, the stock settings are only a guideline.

Set base timing where the vacuume level is the highest at the proper idle rpm.

Or, if you don't have a vacuum gauge, get a glass of water and set it on the fender. Turn the distributer until the ripples in the water are the smoothest.

Max mechanical advance should put you at about 34* at 3,000 rpm's. Vacuum advance should provide 6-10* of advance at cruise.

Most SBF's loose power with more than about 34* of total advance, so there's not much point in going higher. Unless you test it on the dyno and see what you get.