Notices

First time trying to set the timing

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 22, 2011 | 06:05 PM
  #1  
arthur alex's Avatar
arthur alex
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
First time trying to set the timing

SO pardon my ignorance. I just bought a 1979 Ford bronco with a 351M engine. I drove it home but the only way it would run was wide open and even then would cut out. I ended up giving it short bursts of wide open then letting off, then another burst, etc. SO I changed the spark plugs today, checked the fuel filter, ohmed out the plug wires and now I loosened the distributor. He is where my ignorance will show. I hooked up my timing light (I have never used one before by the way) and pointed it at the triangle thing that I am assuming is the timing point. i few inches towards the ground there is another bracket with a circle thing in it. What is this? The timing light showed two yellow lines on the engine damper. The gap between the two lines seems to match the lower bracket. Is that bracket supposed to be in between the two yellow lines or is one of those line supposed to line up with the triangle bracket? And if so, which one?

I moved it around a few times and tried a couple different spots and the engine def sounded different but I figured I better figure out the RIGHT way to do this. Truck is completely stock.
 
Reply
Old May 25, 2011 | 06:05 PM
  #2  
smokeyb97's Avatar
smokeyb97
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 427
Likes: 1
From: Irondale, Al.
Originally Posted by arthur alex
SO pardon my ignorance. I just bought a 1979 Ford bronco with a 351M engine. I drove it home but the only way it would run was wide open and even then would cut out. I ended up giving it short bursts of wide open then letting off, then another burst, etc. SO I changed the spark plugs today, checked the fuel filter, ohmed out the plug wires and now I loosened the distributor. He is where my ignorance will show. I hooked up my timing light (I have never used one before by the way) and pointed it at the triangle thing that I am assuming is the timing point. i few inches towards the ground there is another bracket with a circle thing in it. What is this? The timing light showed two yellow lines on the engine damper. The gap between the two lines seems to match the lower bracket. Is that bracket supposed to be in between the two yellow lines or is one of those line supposed to line up with the triangle bracket? And if so, which one?

I moved it around a few times and tried a couple different spots and the engine def sounded different but I figured I better figure out the RIGHT way to do this. Truck is completely stock.
Maybe this will help.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
LARIAT 85
'80-'86 HOWTO's
33
Apr 24, 2026 09:07 AM
kr98664
'80-'86 HOWTO's
14
Apr 23, 2026 10:35 AM
Connecticut Calvin
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
16
Jul 12, 2017 07:47 AM
ExPACamper
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
29
May 3, 2017 07:11 PM
mutti_wilson
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
6
May 18, 2016 06:37 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:19 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE