Base timing. Really ?

mopower440 said
I am really confused..I do remember when i built this engine and using the stock distributor untouched, it would ping like crazy at high RPM and remember people over on moparts telling me that i would have to limit the slots to around 34 degrees because thats about all it could stand with that cam. So i JB welded the slots and installed the light spring and had to do a trial and error with a file to get the slots right. I ended up with 18 initial and 34 total and she didnt ping so i left it like that for years. This is with the factory mopar ECU. Then i did the GM module upgrade and at the same time, installed the FBO limiter plate and knocked out the JB weld from the slots. I never ran the vacuum advance. You guys are telling me to get rid of the limiter plate but when it goes beyond 34 degrees it pings like crazy. I am just confused.

If you're not using vacuum advance then shouldn't be issues setting it up with a quick advance. The main refinements will be stable timing at idle rpm, and for high rpm (3500 up) ideally enough advance to offset slew rate (the retard seen in video).

Sounds like something changed in the timing curve from the JBWeld setup to the FBO plate setup.
Without having the timing at various rpms from both setups, its pretty hard to know.
I'd just start from where it is now.
Measure the timing from the lowest rpm until it stops advancing.
Then note what rpm and whether its full throttle, and what gear the pinging is audible.
Adjust as needed.