340 Initial timing questions

Wyrmrider said

dont be afraid to run 30 initial?
Don't run any more at idle than you have to
be prepared for that batch of bad gas fill up out on the road/ hot weather. etc
as to the 34 suggestion TOTAL w/o Vac
works for most X-J 360 stock heads
later take less
once you quit improving back it down a notch and drive it
more advance past max power just makes additional heat and removes your margin of safety
lots of good ideas in this thread
glad that big cam works for you
not the way I'd do it but lots like that kind of build
your combo must work together well

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Not all engines tune by the book. My 340 picks up RPM as I twist more timing into it up to about 34* and doesn't kick back the starter during hot starts in 100* heat w/ shitty pump gas, even at 34*. It loves having 28* initial. Do I have to run 28* initial? Hell no, but it sure does start at a flick of the key, and responds very quickly off idle. I say run as much initial as the engine wants and that you can safely get away with.

If the OP's engine wants the initial timing (ie. picks up RPM as he twists more in), and doesn't kick back on the starter on a hot start, give the engine what it wants, regardless of what the timing light says. He's just gotta remember to limit the total advance to something reasonable that won't result in detonation under load in hot weather with **** fuel.