I have always dicked with timing on cars I own, as an inexpensive way to get a bit more HP. Generally the thought is increase the timing until knocking is heard, then back off just a tad.

When doing this I have noted that my it is difficult to get any real knocking going, regardless of my gas or the timing settings. 87 octane or 92 octance, it seems to have little effect on the knocking, or the power output.

I have noted that when I rotated my distributor counterclockwise (which I think is advancing the timing) too much, then i get a huge drop off in power in the upper RPM band. It basically feels like the power has completely flattened out above 4000 rpms. Ugh.

OK, you guys note any improvements based on adjusting the timing?

thanks