Timing, What about Timing?

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Feb 25, 2003 | 02:47 PM

Old5

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Timing, What about Timing?

Hi folks

Need a litlle technoguru advice here

Just did the timing chain on my 96 460, went to the 0 deg/ straight up gear set.
Truck runs good, but the million dollar Q is .....Where do I set the timing?
Before loosening the dizzy, with the spout disconnected I was reading 2 deg advance, we reset it to Zero, plugged in the spout and am reading 14 deg advance.
This sound right or should I be looking for different # now that the cam timing is changed?

With the spout disconnected, is this what they call base line? I don't have my engine maual with me and I don't have a tach handy to check Idle speed but all appears normal

Thanks for any info

Feb 25, 2003 | 02:55 PM

dpoelstra

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Joined: May 2002

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From: Garden Grove USA

Timing, What about Timing?

I did my '86 the same way, and was able to set the timing at about 35 degrees advanced. I know this sounds like a lot, but believe me, it will run awesome!

I believe in the "hot start" method, in which you advance the timing untill the engine has a hard time turning over (engine warm). Then back it off until there is no pinging under heavy load. I tow a heavy trailer so I am now to about 25 degrees or so. If you advance the timing you increase performance, but run the risk of pinging. If you retard the timing, you will never ping, but your performance will noticeably decrease.

By the way, with the gear set you put in, and advancing the timing, you will not pass the sniffer test, so plan accordingly.

Feb 25, 2003 | 03:01 PM

Old5

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Timing, What about Timing?

Ain't got no sniffer test here(Fortunately) and I run dual fuel(Propane or gas)

Are you at 25 deg with the spout in or out?

Feb 26, 2003 | 12:18 AM

Superdave

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From: Indiana

Timing, What about Timing?

Old5, Are you getting spark knock where your at now?

If not, advance the timing 2 degree's at a time until it just starts pinging, then back it down 2 degree's.

And yes this is called base timing, when you are removing your spout plug. Its the same as unplugging the vacuum advance on a earlier model.

And dpoelstra is meaning total advance timing which would be in your case with your spout plug in, and the motor revved up to around 2500 or more rpm.

Last edited by Superdave; Feb 26, 2003 at 12:22 AM.

Feb 26, 2003 | 01:17 AM

77'F-150Mudder

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From: Boise, ID

Timing, What about Timing?

Quote:

Originally posted by Old5
Just did the timing chain on my 96 460, went to the 0 deg/ straight up gear set.
Truck runs good, but the million dollar Q is .....Where do I set the timing?

Changing your valve timing using a "straight up" timing set didn't affect your ignition timing in relation to the combution event. You still have to light a spark just before TDC as you did before, the valves are in just a little different position when this happens with your new timing set.

I'd try setting the initial timing (spout out) to 10* and see how it reacts. Keep bumping it up until you either loose power or hear pinging under full load, whichever happens first. Usually a loss of power from advancing the timing is the result of detonation, whether you hear it or not.

Feb 26, 2003 | 01:53 AM

twistedmetal

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From: USA

Timing, What about Timing?

If I'm not mistaken the 96 engine came with a 2 degree retarded gear set,and when you put a aftermarket set ,its usually 0 degree,usually resulting in more power.I'm planning to replace the timing set on my 97 460 and will check it on a degree wheel to make sure.

Feb 26, 2003 | 02:13 AM

twistedmetal

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From: USA

Timing, What about Timing?

A good roadtest wont hurt either.

Last edited by twistedmetal; Feb 26, 2003 at 02:23 AM.

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Feb 26, 2003 | 01:55 PM

Old5

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Timing, What about Timing?

Alright here's the scoop

Set the Baseline at 10deg and I can make the engine knock under full load once then the knock sensor kicks in, engine runs good though. This is on gasoline

No seat of the pants huge difference, but does seem to run smoother and pull a bit better Had original gear set previously and suprisingly not all that worn @115000,miles

Iwould guess 2* offset is correct because I set the timing last summer to 0* and when we started the engine after the change I was 2* out on the Dizzy.

Because I run propane mostly I only want about 38-40* total advance, if I am correct, I 'll set my baseline at 5 deg to achiev the total. and I'll try it on gas to see if it helps/changes anything.
If anyone knows where to obtain a propane timing optimizer for this truck, that would be great(Different curve)

Road trip with the trailer and a couple thousand lbs this weekend, so mileage/ power test coming up will post results

Originally wanted to due before and after dyno but time restaints cut that out

Cheers