timing retard for starting

But having mechanical advance already starting in at idle is a problem for high performance engines..... such advance should not start until well above idle, like at 1200-1400 rpm. NO mechanical advance at idle is the norm, so the answer to how much is in at idle is clear: ZERO). Having the mechanical advance moving around in the below-1000 RPM range can cause the idle speed to hunt up and down, especially with a longer duration cam.