Factory Timing, why?

[Photon440]

Back in "the day"...

(note "my" "day" was the dawning of the unleaded era when 89 octane "regular" was still around)

The first thing anyone did with an older car from the 60's was see how much advance it would take.
...and stretch the advance springs in the distributor to get it there faster.

However, the book spec on my 73 318 at idle is "0".

...and it does not like even one degree more.

I never stretched the springs. I went all out, and spent $2 for lighter springs.

 

[YY1]

I just stretched mine. Finding a source back then, and waiting on 6-8 weeks delivery...

...plus that was 3 gallons of gas.