I've got 305 heads (601 casting #) on a pre 1980 350 sbc with dished pistons. Everything else on the engine is stock.After I got done adjusting the valve train, I wasn't sure where to leave the timing mark on the balancer at? should I just leave it at 0 degrees and install the distributor? or should I put it a little before 0 degrees since it will be higher compression? Sorry I don't know much about ignition timing and this is my first time.

 

Leave it at zero.

 

Thanks for the info.
What about when I'm about to start the engine, should I retard the timing a bit or just leave that alone too?

 

Once the engine fires you will need to set intial timmimg.