454 pcm

Several here swear by Davis Unified Ignition- D.U.I. They look to use GM's design but are made for a lot of different engines.
Eddie I heard long ago that the quality of today's points and condensers are just not there anymore,I guess they just don't use enough of them. I know that there were a lot of problems with rotors for Lucas distributors,the aftermarket started using cheaper materials,the plastic was different and the rivet that held down the rotor arm was a little long. It would work for awhile then the current would burn thru the plastic and ground out. Several distributor rebuilders have stepped up to the plate and have had rotors remade to original specs. Years ago I ran into a place closing out the points and condensers for the Mallory in the Mustang,got them for pennies on the dollar, got about 6 sets guess I should have bought more but I'm sure the ones I have will last me a long time.

I was looking at the GM HEI but all I see is vacuum advance is there a curve kit that eliminates it?

If it was mine I would keep my eyes open for a HEI unit from GM, it is a nice upgrade and the distributor is well proven. I replaced my 350 GM distributor with the HEI in 1990, it worked perfect till I sold that boat this year. Better start up cold and stronger idle in gear, no negatives I know of unless you plan to spin the engine more than 5500 RPM. And the timing advice above is right on. If I remember correctly the HEI units for GM bolt into both small blocks and big blocks, same part number.

Noted. I will keep that in mind.
So what kind of timing should i be running?

What issues?
Sporadic operation, high RPM misses and complete stranding failures just to name a few. Certainly not everybody has issues but there have been enough problems documented to raise a red flag about the reliability. Especially the Pertronix units. Enough so that several have even opted to replace the entire distributor with an electronic instead of using the conversion.

Kinda like the new starter relays or point condensers. The general consensus has always been to make sure it's made in America and not China. That does not seem to matter any longer. American made brand new units have caused several here many hours of heartache, myself included.

Ive never had issues with them in the past.
But ive never had them in a boat.
What kind of issues should i look for?

What are you guys with the 454s running for timing?
For reference im specifically talking 88bfn
Also the factory mallory has the pertronix conversion in it. Yay.