Guys, I have been reading about setting the propper advance on my 327, the question is how do I do it. First I am installing a new Crane cam, with the timing gears I have the option to set it 4 degrees advanced on the gears which I read is a good thing to do. Next I have been hearing there is some kind of tape I can use to determine the total advance, does anyone know how this stuff works. If I figure out the tape I plan on setting the timing at whatever setting will give me 36 deg total with the vacum disconnected. Will this be correct with the cam installed with 4 deg already. Thanks for the help.

From what I know,the cam timing has no bearing on your spark timing.The cam timing is the cams relation to the crankshaft.I know that some cams are also ground with the advance already in.Yours I'm not sure of off hand,I'm sure someone here knows,or I would think the cam card would say if it should be installed "strait up" or not.If this is not the case I need to know because my cams going in pretty soon also!
By the way,thanks for the reply about your posi,yeah I know all about the $$ situation!

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67 RS RAGTOP # matching, 4X4 CHEVY TRUCK

Easy way to set total advance. 36 degrees is one tenth of a circle. Take diameter of damper, times 3.14 (pi) and divide by 10. Measure from line on damper for TDC and put a mark or line at the right measurement. Then you can set this mark to the 0 on the timing tab in the advance direction which will result in a 36 degree advance. Unhooking vacuum advance is correct. I would always install an aftermarket cam "straight up" in regards to timing.