I am not an engine guy, I like the body work stuff myself. So I need some help here.

I need to know what I should set my timing at for my setup.

I have a 1969 Pontiac 350, Pertronix ignition module inside the original distributor, a mild Comp Cam, bored .30, Edelbrock 650 4bbl carb mounted on an Edelbrock RPM Performer manifold, original exhaust manifold, dual 2.5" exhaust.

Would my timing be set to Factory specs? My Chilton's book says 9B. Does that sound correct and what does it exactly mean? I assume it means to the negative side of 0.

If not, what are your recommendations for my setup?

Hopefully, I gave you enough information.

Thanks a bunch,

SAM

Yes, that means 9 degrees before top dead center (BTDC) or on the minus side of the 0 mark.

I would start there and see how it runs.

My roller cammed, E-brock head/manifold/carb 490 hp 455 was tuned on a dyno which confirmed E-brocks claim of total timing of 36 degrees. Working backwards, my initial timing is 8 degrees BTDC.

And you may want to rethink your intake. We have had a lot of discussion here about the E-brock Performance RPM. The regular Performer is almost an aluminum copy of the RA IV intake (something like that) which was a pretty high performance piece. The RPM manifold is for power in a higher RPM bracket (1500 - 6500) vs idle to 5500 RPM for the plain Performer. Having the power band at idle is probably better for a stock to mildly modified motor like yours and 6500 is probably higher than you want to spin stock rods anyway. It looks to me like you may have more intake manifold than your motor can use and that may cause issues.

Being that engine benchracing is one of our favorite things, I imagine others will chime in here soon.

What salmon said... The good news is you can sell the RPM for more than the reg performer will cost you. And, unless you're trying to save weight, actually a stock cast iron intake would be a better choice(unless you're running a holley). I would set your timing between 10 and 12BTDC. Sometimes you need a bit more than they did because the gas isn't as good as it was back in the day.

I was leafing through Jim Hand's engine book last night and it pointed out the acutal "working" RPM levels for the Performer RPM manifold would be even higher for the lower ci motor like your 350. Probably something more like 2,000 to 7,000 RPM.

In other words - your low end throttle response is going to be pretty bad.

That blows, do you think the original would be a better intake and provide good low end torque? Actually, I had a two barrel and now it is a four so I would have to find a stock four. Otherwise, the Performer would be good just not the RPM Performer. Is that right?

SAM

Yes. The regular Performer is basically an aluminum version of the OEM 4-bbl manifold. So save some weight and get a new regular Performer and dump the RPM on CL to cover some of the cost.