Base timing. Really ?

You sure about that 9.4:1 compression?
Been about 18 years since i built it but i believe thats what it was..? The pistons are .030 over and had a compression height of 2.062, has open chamber 452 heads and the heads have not been shaved and the block has not been decked. The head gasket, if i remember right was the thicker one, not the steel shim..