AC delco voyager EST timing

[Shea_G]

Im having issues with my engine running well under load past 4k rpm. So im trying to rule out timing issues. It a 95 vortec 350 with an edelbrock intake and 750 cfm carter marine carb. Fuel pressure is 7 psi. I set initial timing at 12 degree and at 4000 rpm the timing advances to 26 degrees. Does my total timing seem low? I know the voyager has a flat timing curve and ideally id like to be around 30-32 degrees for this engine. Should i advance my idle timing to 18 degrees to get my total up to 30?

 

[Shea_G]

Let me rephrase:

Is it better to set total timing to 30-32 and live with a high (18) idle timing or leave idle timing at 12 and live with a low (26) total timing

 

[NHGuy]

If it has high compression heads like 64 cc that's a help. And if it has smaller combustion chambers due to small dish or flat pistons, that's a help too. I've seen the theory of why and cannot remember it. But to learn a lot of theory you could go post your question in hotrodder.com.
If and when you do it, adjust the engine warmed up. Turn up the timing first, which will increase your engine speed. Then drop the idle speed to around 725. Then see if it will turn off without dieseling. If it diesels turn the switch back on right away and take out some timing. You need to keep it from running hot to combat the dieseling too. So monitor the temperature. If you want to run it with max advance and it misbehaves you can run premium fuel, that will allow maximum compression and help reduce running issues.