Timing off

My "74 Nova with a 350 has rebuilt HEI distributor, new Carb, spark plugs and wires. Starts and runs great but will not run in drive and the timing is about 20 degrees after TDC. Need help.
anybody
Roy

My "74 Nova with a 350 has rebuilt HEI distributor, new Carb, spark plugs and wires. Starts and runs great but will not run in drive and the timing is about 20 degrees after TDC. Need help.
anybody
Roy

Unplug vacuum advance on dist and turn dist until the base time comes up to specs.

Initial timing on your motor (assuming it's stock or close to it) should be 6-10 degs before TDC at around 700 RPM's and as MT 2500 said with the vacuum hose disconnected and plugged to the dist.

If you cannot achieve this without the dist bumping into something then your a tooth or two off on it's installation.

Good suggestions and that's the way I have been doing it. Decided to pull the timing chain cover. Guess who was really stretched? Replaced it and was dialling it in when the brand-new lower radiator hose split right down the middle, lengthwise. I suppose it is normal but as I was moving closer to the retarded side of the timing tab the RPM would drop and I would have to move up the idle. When I got it to TDC the idle screw bottomed out. Do I get a longer screw?
Roy

No you don't get a longer screw. Need to check the timing marks with #1 piston at absolute Top Dead Center.

Funny that you should mention that. I realized that the harmonic balancer was probably not stock, so I went in and found TDC mechanically. She is running fine now. Thanks to everyone that offered their suggestions.
Roy