40 degrees initial!

depends on compression. low compression small blocks can like up to 42*. My 318 Duster now is at 40*, ET slip proven that's where it likes it. ALWAYS let the engine decide, not a pre-determined number on a piece of paper before the build even starts.

When an engine wants a lot of timing its lean. When you have low comp and a bigger cam there isn't a lot vaporization taking place before ignition time so burn proceeds slowing.