Seting timing on a 350 chev should i just do total advance?

[drifter]

I built a 350 for a suburban with an rv type cam and a performer intake & 9-1 comp The distributor is a vac advance stock gm unit.Should i set the total advance around 35-36 deg. with the vac hose on?? I checked what its at now and its only around 6deg at idle and with the vac hose off i think it was around 25 deg. total and with the vac hose on it was 35 total is this the correct way to set it with the vac hose on? I don't want to give it to much timing & when you loads his 6000# trailer on and it could start pinging

[jeff swisher]

I would say take it out and test it.. put it in high gear at about 40mph load the engine up while riding the brakes..see if it pings , inspect plugs for little easter eggs..before and after
That works for my 6000 lb ride

[jmarkaudio]

You may want to put a spring and weight kit on it to limit total advance, and allow a little more initial. About 15 usually will run a little better, you just need to experiment.