79 inline six timing help

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May 7, 2012 | 05:51 PM

coleboy11

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79 inline six timing help

79 F-100 300 inline six, engine has basic timing, but need to fine tune without timing light or electronics. Is it possible to rotate the distributor without getting electrocuted? Clockwise or counter-clockwise? Any advice here would be greatly appreciated, thanks

May 7, 2012 | 10:44 PM

mark a.

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I can't think of any reason moving a dizy would shock you.

May 8, 2012 | 12:50 AM

starwriter

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I had to use a timing gun to get my i6 timed really well but this is what I would do.
1) Start engine
2) Unhook vacuum advance from distributor and plug vacuum line going to carb.
3) Loosen nut on base of distributor, I think it is 1/2 inch.
4) Rotate distributor until idle sounds right, about 800 RPM. Exhaust shouldn't burn your nose.
5) Tighten nut on base of distributor.
6) Attach vacuum advance and rev engine checking for stumble, if all sounds good take her for a drive and see how she runs. I usually end up pulling over and adjusting slightly while driving.

Hope this helps.

May 8, 2012 | 08:52 AM

coleboy11

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Well I've been tuning it by ear several hours now and its driveable, but I cant seem to get that little stumble out no matter what I do, so I hit the neighbor up for a tutorial and a timing light. He should be here by 4 PM, but the degrees is 10 right for a 79?

May 8, 2012 | 10:01 AM

OldStyle

Rusty Roller

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From: Santa Cruz Mountains

Make sure your vac advance is functioning and that the accelerator pump is squirting fuel out the discharge nozzles.

May 8, 2012 | 10:02 AM

nlareau

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From: Atlanta

Chances are the stumble isn't due to timing. My has it at low RPMs and I think it is more a function of the accelerator pump in the carb.

May 8, 2012 | 10:23 AM

starwriter

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10 degrees was about right for my truck. Mine stumbled for a long time it was a conbination of timing, carb and fuel pump. I had to go through about 2 carbs before I found a good one and I still had to tune it. I won't ever git rid of the carb I have now just keep rebuilding it. If you are running the stock carb it isn't hard to tune, just 1 screw. Tighten it down until the truck starts to stall out then back it out a turn or so. Keep backing it out until the exhaust doesnt' burn your nose. It took me awhile to get the hang of it but it's an easy enough engine to learn on. After figuring this all out I now get about 17mpg and no stumble so I figure I must have it tuned about right. It took me a few tries to get it right though.