Is there anyway to tell the actual timing the motor is getting? Say, after it has gone through an msd 6al and an msd retard box?

If there is anyway someone knows, please share it!!!

 

The only way to measure actual timing would be with a timing light, and that would require that you remove the damper hub, have it correctly "keyed" to match the keyway in the crank, then install a degreed timing wheel and a pointer for TDC. I've done that on mine, using the ATI Super Damper.

A way to see the impact of the retard box (without verifying TDC)would be to mark the damper with a line for an "arbitrary" TDC, and add degree markings in front of it. While watching the timing on a scanner (retard box out of the circuit), set a reference pointer on the block that indicates the corresponding advance on your damper, then use a timing light to verify your degree marks. Then hook up the retard box and verify that it is doing what it is set to do. I have also done it that way on an LT1, although it happened to involve installing a crank timing wheel for a crank position sensor pickup.

http://members.aol.com/InjuneerZZ/im...otos/sdi01.jpg

 

Have you got a scan tool? I think that would be the easy way.

 

A scan tool would only read the spark advance coming from the pcm, not after it has gone through the msd.

Maybe I'll just activate the timing retard at idle and see if i can hear any noticable difference with a 4 degree chip, and if not, pull the chip out and go for the full 20 degree retard, just to verify the retard box actually works!!