I have a 396 with a msd drop in billet distrubtor no boxthe distrubtoris locked out no springs at all so my question is what should the timing be set at . also it has a air gap intake, headers, mild cam and a holley 750 dp any help will be appreciated
thanks LES

You will not be able to worry about initial idle timing if you don't have any advance springs. You will just have to set the total timing at approx 36 to 38 degrees advance@3000 rpm. Or wherever it runs the best without spark knock (pinging/pre-detonation)

I set the timing to 36 today and it really didnt want to start so I had to back it down to about 23 so it will start fine is there anything I can use that will retard the timing just on start up I have the msd ready to run distributor with no al box and I really dont want to run on if I dont have to
thanks again LES