Hey guys,
I have a 1972 Thunderbird with the low compression 429 4V engine. Other than an Edelbrock 750 manual choke carb, the engine is completely stock (I'm running exhaust manifolds into duals). I don't have access to a timing light at the moment, so I'm looking for suggestions on setting the timing by ear. I was told that if I plug the vaccuum advance and have my friend hold the engine around 2000-2500 rpms that I should advance the timing until the engine starts pinging and then back off. Well, I can advance the timing until the rpm's drop off and then the idle is surging once I let the car come back down to idle, but I can't seem to get the engine to ping. Will I not be able to achieve pinging because my compression is so low and because of the 8 degree retarded timing set? I'm assuming that spinning the distributor clockwise is advancing the timing, right? If I try to adjust the timing at 2500 rpms (or even at idle, for that matter) to where I get the highest/smoothest rpms, I seem to end up too far retarded overall.

Thanks guys!

--Steven

 

No replies? No wonder I usually ask all my Ford questions over at Moparts.com!

 

I would highly recommend a timing light. I got mine at walmart for $20. HArborfreight.com always has em too.