Lock Out Or Not Lock Out??

[65novasbc]

im running a 350 chevy with 14:1 compression turns 7200 rpm drag race only.. 268 276 @ 50 and like 560/580 lift. i have the pro billet distributor with the 6al box and i was running the black bushing and the light springs. i was told by people to lock out the distributor. i did this and the car went from runnin 6.95 at almost 98 mph to the car running 7.11 - 7.18 at 96mph in the 1/8 mile. i did nothing else to the car, i put the car back at 38 degrees where it runs the best at and it just wont runs high 6s anymore. what are the disadvantages or advantages of locking out a distributor and when should i do it? thanks

bryan

[msdtech4]

65novasbc,

Absolutely none. Unless you where launching the car below 1500 RPM you where at full timing anyway, equivalent to being locked out. Make sure when you are setting the timing that you are using a non adjustable timing light. The adjustable lights are not recommended with an MSD system. This could be giving you a bad reading and the timing is not where it should be. If you made no other changes I would look here first.

Thanks,

MSD tech4