Unless you want to change the "CAM" timing, set the marks straight up according to manufactures instructions. Zero is the norm for street. The other marks are two degrees retarded or two degrees advanced. Advanced gives you gobs of torque, but no top end. Retarded gives you lots of power above 5,000 rpm.
Leave it at zero. Total "IGN" timing should fall around 34* total, vacuum blocked, and at 2,000 rpm. Better to run a little soft on the timing, than to hear some knocking!
Something you're doing or saying is backwards. Retarding the timing to make power doesn't make sense.
If you had listed the brand and part number of your timing chain set we could answer your question. Your best bet now is to call the maker of the timing chain set and ask them. Be prepared to tell them the part number of your camshaft.
Fast burn cylinder heads on a 383 GM Motors only needs 32 degrees total mechanical ignition advance. This is easy to do if you have a degreed dampener pulley or an MSD timing tape on it if you know the diameter of the dampener.
I have a 383 Stroker with Vortec fast burn heads and I have to really retard the timing to get it to have much power, do you think it is alright to run it being its retarded? I took the timing chain cover off and the timing gear was on the O mark, should I leave it on O mark or on the triangle mark or the squat mark?
Than you...
