I recently purchased a 76' TA with a 455. I have no idea what was done to the engine. I know some work has been done because it has headers, true dual exhaust with equalizing pipe and an edelbrock intake. It has the original quadrajet and distributor. I ran it at the strip last week and pulled a miserable 15.3 at 89 MPH. The engine would go much past 4500RPM. It ran good, but just ran slow!

I also have a problem with the timing. I have to advance it to apprx. 16-18 degrees below top dead center to get any kind of power out of the motor. Of course, with that much advance, I can't start the car when the engine is hot.

Does anyone have any ideas of why the timing has to be so far advanced, or is this normal for the 455. I'd also liketo know if the time sounds normal for the 1/4 mile. I would have thought it should be atleast around the low 14's.

Any input would be appreciated.