You need to find someone that has an advance timing light. With it they can set the total advance at 35 degrees at 2,000 RPM. That will be your best performance setting.
It is best to start at 8 degrees at 600 rpm for auto and 6 degrees at 800 rpm for manual. The total timing should be around 33 degrees.
A 1976 Chevy did not have a points ignition, but that has nothing to do with the correct timing. You will find that the engine runs best with about 8-12 degrees BTDC.
6, to 8 degrees advanced, or BTDC., will work best.
There are contributing factors, however, about 6 degrees advanced or BTDC., should work best.
Try 10 degrees for your base timing and tweeak 2 to 4 degrees either way trying diff settings till get best performance
Depends upon the year, and which 396 it is, but, 4, to 8 degrees advanced, or BTDC, should make it run best.
You can usually start out about 8 degrees BTDC with no pinging. Increase 1 or 2 degrees at a time during normal operation until you hear pinging and then back off 2 degrees. On a dragstrip, increase timing 1 or 2 degrees at a time until best mph is observed.
Anywhere from 4 to 8 degrees BTDC / BEFORE TOP DEAD CENTER. Were ever it runs it's best and starts good when hot.
The best time to replace a 2004 Chevy Venture timing chain is when it becomes weak or broken. It is not something that needs replaced routinely.
Before, and it really depends on what you are calling "modified" if you put a "hotter" cam in, sometimes the stock timing won't do it justice. You have to play with the timing and see what works best. Usually, advancing it 1 or 2 degrees gives the best result.
On most stock SB 350s the timing should be fine at 6-8 degree's Before Top Dead Center AKA BTDC. However if the cam is not stock you may want to contact the cam's manufacturer for the best timing suitable for your cam. I personally set the timing until I obtain the best performance I want to achieve. , EzForJesus If you are looking for the best performance possible, get a timing light that will check your timing at full advance. Start off at about 40 degrees total timing (engine running above 2800 rpm) and vary it up or down a few degrees until peak performance is found. Best accomplished at a drag strip on test'n'tune night.
The best way to find 6 degrees on a 1969 Olds 350 Rocket timing tab is with a diagram which can be found in a repair manual. The timing markings are on the pulley.