Mechanical Advance

[JimNolan]

Hi Guys,
Been working on my 57 with the 410 and would like some advice on the mechanical advance of a stock distributor. The Sim5 program ( don't know how good it is) tells me I'm running too much mechanical advance too early. I'm running the 925 springs from Mr. Gasket and I'm all in by 2200 rpm. I've got my advance plate cut for 11L and I'm running 15 degrees initial advance.
I just changed my spring on the secondary weight to the original stock heavy spring that came on the distributor.
The MSD advance chart that best fits my Sim5 program uses their lightest spring on the primary weight and their heaviest spring on the secondary weight. My question is: Am I making a futile attempt at improving my performance.

[cammerfe]

The old rule from 'back-in-the-day' was to use a ten degree slot and crank in eighteen degrees for 38 total. I'd think that all in by 2200 is too soon. I believe I'd be happier with 2500-2600 all in.

KS

[Faron]

First you cant compare a MSD advance to a Ford, Its  totally different ramps and weights , as your finding out 2 of the 925 springs are too light and the advance is too quick , An under 2500 curve all in is usually ok for race gas and race cars , but any vehicle driven on the street with street ( pump gas ) will NOT usually like that , it may be only a few rpms but timing curve are like trap shooting ( an analogy ) it has to happen at the right time , Street cars usually end up with 8-22 ( dist degrees ) in them and all in by 27-3200 , Knowing Why is as important as how , How you can get on line, Why takes experience

[My427stang]

Agree with Faron. 

However, just to put my spin on it, I think you are likely pretty close on total, a spring change to put it all in at 2700-ish should get you pretty close