what is the initial timing on a 383?

I don't know how I still have it but I have a 1976 Borg-Warner tune-up spec book. It covers the stock specs from 1967 to 1976 and according to that, the timing should be 2.5 degrees BTDC for the automatic cars and 0 degrees for the stickshift application. Personnally, I like the 10 degree BTDC suggestion. As TOOLMANMIKE said, it'll work on just about any engine out there.

Ken