Technical 8BA ignition timing

Hi Guys!

I have acquired my dad's 53 Merc M100. It has an 8BA flathead. It's been sitting a lot since 2012. I want to check everything and know its best it can be. I checked the timing last night by the marks on the crank and an adjustable dial timing light.

I am getting
16° at idle
26° revving
These are using pointer and mark on balancer. And dialing up the light till they align.

From what I am reading 16° at idle is a lot but if I try to back it down if runs rough.

The motor is far as I know
- 8BA +1.00" on the bore
- 3/4 RACE cam (What Dad called it?)
- Edelbrock heads
- Offenhauser intake
- Holley 4brl 390cfm vacuum
secondaries
- Mallory Dual Point (Unilite?) with Pertronix

I have a 56 F100 with a Y-Block and researched them and built my 292. But no experience or knowing the little things with these Flatheads.

Thanks
Scott

 

My understanding is there’s no advantage on a FH V8 (Ford) to run more than the total timing you have. Jim Linder I think suggested less total, but I forget the numbers.
If it starts easy enough, idles fine and not at 1100 RPMS, and runs well, I’d leave it as-is.
That said, I’m far from a FH V8 guy.

Edit: the Unilite is an electronic distributor as I recall. Take the cap off and see if it has two sets of points. (Dual point).

 

Scott, post over on The Ford Barn too, all flathead guys.

 

The timing pointer on the engine is not 0 degrees, it's between 2-6 BTDC. I can't remember how much the bump on the pulley is advanced, but the Ford Barn guys will. Your readings are not accurate. If it was running fine with good throttle response, then there is no point in messing with it anyway.