I got my brother to check the timing in my car, he said it was 8 degrees off, not sure which way, he just emailed me, and I'm at college, so the details aren't the best, sorry. There isn't any permanent damage done within 200 miles.

 

Off from what? You don't have a stock motor, so there's no "spec". "Correct" is where it runs the best. A timing light is only useful as a reference to be able to put it back to where it runs the best without having to find that spot again by trial & error and road-testing.

If he retarded it, but it wasn't pinging before, have him put it back. If he advanced it, and it still doesn't ping, give him an extra cookie or something, because it probably runs a whole lot better.

But no, it didn't hurt anything.

 

Sorry, like I said it was thru email so I wasn't sure if it was retarded or advanced. I would think retarded, cause wouldn't that cause a lean condition and cause the motor to heat up like it did. 225* or so at teh track idling, with a 160* stat and aluminum radiator.