timing

Trying to get the 351 Windsor timing locked in short of a timing light. Playing with the ditributor and can get it dialed in nice without the spark knock but the low end suffers. I can hammer it without the annoying knock. Get the low end back by turing the distibutor back but get the knock back. I can't find the best of both worlds. Any suggestions?

Right in the MIDDLE of the best and worst maybe?

Or get a light... but with a light you will have to place the dist SOMEWHERE right? Likely it's one of the somewhere's that you've already had it placed, but got something you didn't like on the bottom end or on the top end...

Maybe your sweet spot is in the top and you need to sacrafice some of your low rpm performance....

You can't time an engine without a light - a good light and a balancer that is marked to at least 34 degrees.

With the vacuum advance disconnected turn the engine up to 4000 rpm. turn the distributor until you get 34 degrees and lock it down. reconnect the vacuum advance and you are as good as that distributor will get you.
For the best performance limit the distributor advance to 10 distributor degrees (20 crank degrees) and set the initial advance at 14 on the crank. Have all the mechanical advance come in by 2500 rpm and your engine will come close to being optimum for MOST SBF's.

Actually what you can do is just dial it in just so it runs clean. And then take it to a backyard garage (meaning it's not by the book like some other chains are) and there will be someone there that can help you dial it in to that sweet spot. Because you can't do this yourself without a light.

It's really sounding very good now. I must be close. Maybe even close enough. It's tough to hear a rattle when I hammer it. One more question. Will running a higher octane like Premium make any difference? It's all about detonation right? Will the Premium burn better?

Thanks....Dave

'70 Mustang Fastback Acapulco blue 351 Windsor C4 automatic three speed.

Running a higher octane gas will hide the problem of too much advance to a certain point. It will not give you any more power. If your timing is too far advanced the power being produced in the cylinders is trying to stop the piston from going over the top of its stroke. This robs power and fuel economy. More octane does not make the fuel burn slower - when the spark plug fires your fuel starts to burn. If it starts too early then you lose power and economy.