MSD ignition recomendation...

If you do it by ear......advance it little by little until it starts to ping when under acceleration, then back it off. If you do it more scientific, use one of those timing lights with the dial on it. Im not sure what most are running at "full advance" but that means that at 3000RPMs or so the distributers curve is delivering the spark to the combustion chamber lets say 36 degrees BEFORE top dead center. So if the dial on the timing light is at 36, the engine is revved up to 3000, and the timing marks are flashing at TDC, you have your timing degreed at 36 fully advanced. If you have a timing light with NO dial on the back, then you can set it to say 12 degrees before TDC and take it for a ride.....if it doesnt ping under acceleration then you might advance it a bit more, and so on. Advancing your timing as such can create more heat in the motor at times so if you are having starting problems or heat problems then you may consider retarding the timing a bit (less degrees before TDC)

I have not really ever explained that one before so if someone has more to add.....Im learning too. Oh Abodyjoe was cutting and pasting at same time....what he said!