1976 360 timing
 

i've got my engine apart for a rebuild and i'm wondering if there's any difference between the '76 360 timing gears that i have and any older ones. i've heard that, due to emissions, a different gear can add to performance. is this true? if so, what should i look for?
any info would be great

1976 360 timing
 

Hi,

What your are referring to is what I believe is called "timing the Cam". This involves a "Degree wheel". The Cam can be advanced or retarded. This setting depends on the Cam spec's.

That's about all I know about it as I have never performed the adjustment.

1976 360 timing
 

Put a pre-73 timing chain set in it, After 73 ford added i think it was 8 degrees of advance in the cam timing for emmisions and when you get rid of that it adds about 20HP. I did it on my 76 390 and noticed a big difference in power and how it ran, I also have a comp cam but I think you would notice a difference even in a stock application

1976 360 timing
 

how is the pre-73 timing kit different? would i be able to line the two sprockets up differently? what sprocket would i need new? or would i need both of them?
thanks for the info so far

1976 360 timing
 

anybody? what sprocket is changed? or are they both different on the older engines? is there any way i could just move one of them a few teeth either way to do the same thing as a different sprocket?

1976 360 timing
 

In the early '70's the cam timing was retarded (4° I think) for emissions reasons. The teeth on the sprocket are spaced farther apart than the change in timing so just moving the chain on the sprocket won't work. BTW, I think it was just the bottom gear that changed. If you get an aftermarket set that has the 3 keyways on the bottom gear, you'll be able to set it where you want.