Setting 302 Timing

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Oct 16, 2012 | 07:17 AM

rpatrick

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Senior User

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 139

Likes: 1

From: Warrenton, VA

Setting 302 Timing

After 2 years of part-time rebuilding, I finally finished reinstalling my 302 in my F-150 this weekend and fired it up and now need to set the timing.

Anybody have a procedure for doing this?

The manual says 10 btdc but it also says to follow the procedure in a powertrain manual that I don't have and does not seem to be in Alldata. I am thinking it is not just as simple as setting it with a timing light at idle - or is it?

This is a '93 with no vacuum advance.

Any pointers on how to get it set?

Thanks,
RP

Oct 16, 2012 | 11:42 AM

Conanski

FTE Legend

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 31,930

Likes: 1,499

From: Ottawa, Ontario

Assuming this is an EFI engine, start the motor and let it settle into a steady idle, connect the timing light, pull the spout plug to disable computer advance(grey plug in TFI harness), point the light at the crank balancer and turn the distributor until you get the setting you want. 10deg BTDC is stock but many motors will tolerate 2-4 deg more and that will make more TQ and improve fuel milage. When you got it where you want it snug down the distributor bolt, reinsert the spout, disconnect the light and take it for a test drive.