Advanced timing

I timed my car to 12 degrees without the vacuum advance connected. What should the timing be when I reconnect connect the vacuum advance? I have a 250ci inline 6 4.1L

 

if its hooked up to a ported vacuum port, it wont change at idle. if its hooked up to manifold vacuum the amount it goes up depends on how much vacuum the motor is making.

 

Well i have it hooked to the manifold vacuum and when i checked it after setting the timing it runs at 24 degrees while connected to the advance. Is that a bad thing?

 

it depends on how it runs. if it run well, which i would expect it to, then leave it.

 

I would think your idle speed would be pretty high with 24°.

 

if it runs good, then keep with it. the same thing happens with my 302. but it likes the advance through the rpm range, so i diddnt worry about it. plus i set mine up to max advance at around 2500 or maybe 3500 i don't remember.... don't have a lot of I6 experience, from form the experience I've had with my v8, you should be fine.