How do you set the timing?
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From: Casa Grande
How do you set the timing?
I know it's probably a dumb question but, how the heck do you see to set the timing? I mean with the air pump and alt where they are how do you see it? I just used the vacuum gauge and guess it's close but sure would love to know what it's set at. Oh, just in case any ones wondering, the bolts on the air pump pulley sure will make mess of a timing light.
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Joined: Sep 2010
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From: California
About your timing
If you used a vacuum gauge then you you've already set it the most efficient way possible. If just for the sake of knowing where it is............how does the air pump and alternator block your view? Not being a smart-*** but you are looking for the ones on the right side (passenger) of the engine...correct?
Dunno about the thermactor air pump but my alternator is behind all the stuff I need to get a look at the timing indicator. I guess the air pump is on the right side? still it would be behind the belts and pulleys. I'm kinda confused myself that you cant see it. Stock timing according to the book is 10 BTDC. Using a vac gauge would vary from vehicle to vehicle but if you went to the highest vac possible with the engine warmed up and at curb idle then........backed off about 2-3 in/hg. you got it perfect.
Dunno about the thermactor air pump but my alternator is behind all the stuff I need to get a look at the timing indicator. I guess the air pump is on the right side? still it would be behind the belts and pulleys. I'm kinda confused myself that you cant see it. Stock timing according to the book is 10 BTDC. Using a vac gauge would vary from vehicle to vehicle but if you went to the highest vac possible with the engine warmed up and at curb idle then........backed off about 2-3 in/hg. you got it perfect.
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From: Boise, Idaho
The alternator and the smog pump share the same bracket, but both are well above where the timing marks are.
What year is your engine? Starting around the late 70s/early 80s, the timing cover started carrying its own set of timing marks on the driver's side, and the harmonic balancer has two timing marks on it (one for the timing marks on the passenger, and one for the timing marks on the driver's side).
I didn't know the marks on the timing cover were there for about 4 years because they were covered with gunk and grease on mine.
You can see them in this picture. They're the shiny marks to the left of the circle in the center of the timing cover.
However, as McYondan said, timing by vacuum is the surest way to go.
Disconnect the vacuum advance as you would for setting the timing with a light and plug it up so there's no leaks. Advance the timing until you get the highest vacuum reading possible, and then back it down by 2hg. That'll set the timing for your vehicle, fuel mixtures, altitude, weather, etc. and is much better than the "safe for everyone anywhere" timing setting from the factory.
What year is your engine? Starting around the late 70s/early 80s, the timing cover started carrying its own set of timing marks on the driver's side, and the harmonic balancer has two timing marks on it (one for the timing marks on the passenger, and one for the timing marks on the driver's side).
I didn't know the marks on the timing cover were there for about 4 years because they were covered with gunk and grease on mine.
You can see them in this picture. They're the shiny marks to the left of the circle in the center of the timing cover.
However, as McYondan said, timing by vacuum is the surest way to go.
Disconnect the vacuum advance as you would for setting the timing with a light and plug it up so there's no leaks. Advance the timing until you get the highest vacuum reading possible, and then back it down by 2hg. That'll set the timing for your vehicle, fuel mixtures, altitude, weather, etc. and is much better than the "safe for everyone anywhere" timing setting from the factory.
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From: Casa Grande
Yea I'm looking at the marks on the right side. In order to see them I have to aim the light down from the top right side between the air pump pulley and the radiator shroud. That's as close as I can get the light to the marks. My light is an older one so maybe not as bright as it could be. I can see the marks, and 10btc, but can't see the ones on the pully and it is marked with whiteout. Still haven't seen any on the left side but could be covered I guess. I did get it set by vacuum, unplugged the SPOUT, peaked at ~20 then backed it off to between 17-18. Must be close because it starts as soon as you hit the key. But for my own curiosity I'd like to see where it's set.
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From: California
The timing marks
The picture AbandonedBronco posted are NOT the marks you use unless as he said there is another notch on the balancer. (great pic AB) Nearly always on a 300, the timing indicator is attached on the right (passenger) side of the engine using 2 bolts that hold the timing cover on and is a saw-toothed piece of metal. It's hard to miss if it is on. Stand in front of the truck near the battery and look at the balancer. You should see it unless someone took it off.
Mike
Mike
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From: California
A bit more
Look at the pic AB posted. At about the 10 o'clock position you can see the indicator I was talking about. See the lower bracket for the alternator? Follow it to where it bolts to the block. Just above and to the right is the timing indicator. Kinda hard to pick out cuz your looking at it from the front and from there it's skinny and flat but from up above, it's obvious.
Last edited by McYondan; Feb 25, 2011 at 11:14 AM. Reason: correction
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From: Boise, Idaho
Yeah, never figured out why my engine had BOTH sets of timing marks. However, if you have them, and have both timing nicks on the balancer, the one on the driver's side is 100x easier to see, read, and use since the numbers are bigger, the marks are embossed, and you can see them at the same time you're adjusting the distributor (as opposed to moving the distributor, walking over to the passenger side, checking, and then going back to the distributor.)
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It's been a few years since I timed my 91 but I seem to remember, after cleaning up the timing marks and dampener mark and putting a highlight on the dampener mark, that I had to basically balance the timing light somewhere on the front, passenger side of the motor somewhere pointed at the timing marks. Then I got under the front of the truck, being VERY mindful of the fan, and was able to read the timing.
If I remember right, holding the light and trying to read the numbers from above the engine was hopeless, and holding the light and trying to read the numbers from below the engine was too cumbersome. I was able to do it by balancing the light so it pointed at the timing marks from above the engine, then getting my body under the motor and looking at the dampener from underneath. MIND THE FAN!!
This probably only applies to EFI and later model carb 300s with more accessories on the front of the engine. I can remember many more years ago working on the 240 in an old 73 I had. There was nothing in the way of anything on the motor. You could put 3 people in the engine compartment and close the hood.
If I remember right, holding the light and trying to read the numbers from above the engine was hopeless, and holding the light and trying to read the numbers from below the engine was too cumbersome. I was able to do it by balancing the light so it pointed at the timing marks from above the engine, then getting my body under the motor and looking at the dampener from underneath. MIND THE FAN!!
This probably only applies to EFI and later model carb 300s with more accessories on the front of the engine. I can remember many more years ago working on the 240 in an old 73 I had. There was nothing in the way of anything on the motor. You could put 3 people in the engine compartment and close the hood.
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This is actually for AB, I have an 84 bronco also and sheared the pin in dist. I fixed it but when I went to set the timing the balancer has like 5 timing marks on it. It looks like actually 3 because 1 is on one side and the other 4 are across from each other so it's really 2 but opposite from the 1. I've never seen this before in 45 years of working on stuff but this is my first Bronco II . You have any idea which is right? I don't want to go thru pulling the valve cover and I can't see in the #1 plug hole, passenger side. Anybody knows about this I'd really appreciate it, thanks.
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Boise, Idaho
Heya OreJohn,
I'm not familiar with the harmonic balancer on the Bronco II.
Maybe try posting your question in that forum?
Bronco II - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
Without knowing if your at TDC, it'll be difficult to tell which is the right one. Maybe it's simply been nicked and damaged and they look like timing marks?
Otherwise, I recommend trying to figure out how to set it to TDC. You can always try the screwdriver trick by putting a long screwdriver down the sparkplug hole. Then rotate the engine and watch for the screwdriver to extend out to the furthest point. Just be careful it doesn't get pinched in the sparkplug hole.
I'm not familiar with the harmonic balancer on the Bronco II.
Maybe try posting your question in that forum?
Bronco II - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
Without knowing if your at TDC, it'll be difficult to tell which is the right one. Maybe it's simply been nicked and damaged and they look like timing marks?
Otherwise, I recommend trying to figure out how to set it to TDC. You can always try the screwdriver trick by putting a long screwdriver down the sparkplug hole. Then rotate the engine and watch for the screwdriver to extend out to the furthest point. Just be careful it doesn't get pinched in the sparkplug hole.
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Thanks for the quick reply, I thought I was in that forum. Anyway, I know how to get it to TDC, I did that but when I look at the balancer there's factory marks on both sides of it (180%) from each other. I've never seen one like this before and been doing this for 45 years or more. One side is like all the rest but the other side has 4 marks on it, 2 next to the block and 2 on the outer rim of pulley straight across from the inside ones, at about the 10 deg. position. If I can't find out which is right I guess I have to pull the valve cover.
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Boise, Idaho
That is definitely strange. I know on the 300, there are two timing marks, but they're about a 45* angle from each other and then there's timing marks on the passenger and driver's side of the engine, which ever is most convenient. But something sounds off/excessive about what you're describing.
Have you tried starting a new thread in the Bronco II forum? It might be something specific to that engine that we have no experience with.
Have you tried starting a new thread in the Bronco II forum? It might be something specific to that engine that we have no experience with.
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,987
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From: Boise, Idaho
I posted a link to it a few posts up.
Otherwise, it's in the forum list:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums
Otherwise, it's in the forum list:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums