[40cpe]

Initial timing has little to do with running hot except with prolonged idle. The distributor advances (or should) as engine speed increases. About 35 degrees should be close to max advance. A timing light should be used to set the distributor at 2500-3000 rpm to max advance and let the initial fall where it may. Distributor advance operation should be checked. If it isn't advancing, it should be corrected. Low timing is inefficient and because more fuel is being used, more heat is produced. If you still have the Load-O-Matic distributor, it relies on vacuum alone to provide advance. A vacuum leak or a bad vacuum advance will prevent any advance above the initial setting. Observing the timing with a timing light while revving the engine will tell you a lot.