Timing and spark plug gap, 70 Duster

[motorhead440]

Any suggestions for setting the timing on my 69 440 for drag racing. A older chiltons says my intial is 7 1/2 but what about the total? I have the mallory mech adv dist. The other question is what to gap plugs at and which plug should i use? I have the msd 6al and mallory coil if that helps. I'm gonna try to run again this sunday weather permitting.
THANKS, MOTOR

[DartGT66]

I think starting at about 35 degrees total is good. If you have an easily modified curve in your distributor, try to get all the advance out pretty early, before 2000 rpm, and use initial advance at about 20 degrees. Even locking the distributor solid works, but then you have to put an extra switch to the small red lead of the MSD, so that you can first turn the engine over with starter and then turn the ignition on. That's basically how they do it with a crank trigger. I think MSD recommends .040" plug gap, but I know some people use more, up to .080". I suggest starting at .040" and then trying what it does with .060" gap. I can't recommend any plugs, because I don't use the shorty plugs used in most big blocks, but I would say the brand isn't too important. Just get a plug that works and has the correct heat range for your engine. I think you can use the stock heat range, or one step colder. Personally I use plugs with heat range equivalent to Champion 12, they last many years and the car runs low 10's with them.

[Christopher]

We use the Mopar race distributor and the gold box.This dist.has all the advance in by 1200 rpm.We set the timing at 38 degrees at 2000 rpm.We use the Accel plugs(made by Nippondenso)because Champion no longer makes the J-11Y.Gap is at .040

[motorhead440]

Thanks for the info guys, i'll make some adjustments sat. and see how it does sunday.
MOTOR