360 cam/ timing questions

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Mar 15, 2013 | 07:49 PM

cowboyfordlord

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360 cam/ timing questions

I have a 75 F-250 with the 360. Rebuilt motor, .040 bored, stock carb, headers, dual exh. ,and a cam that came from EPWI #MC1776. The numbers are the same across the board as the Crane 343901 mentioned in this forum. I found the distributor recurve tech link on this forum and I need to do that soon, but was hoping to get more feedback on timing for this cam/motor. I did nothing to advance or retard the cam when I installed it. I have only timed it with the dist. Non-adjustable rocker arms. Any advice would be appreciated to help it run better. If you need more info to help me I will try to give it. Thanks for any suggestions and sorry if this is an recurring topic. I am fairly new to posting on forums as you can see by my no. of posts.

Mar 20, 2013 | 11:22 AM

Freightrain

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From: Ohio

Most FE's like about 38-40* total timing, unless it pings. Get the initial around 12-14* as long as it still turns over easy(starting). Try to run something better then bottom grade fuel. Even my stock 352 like 89 oct fuel better.

Mar 20, 2013 | 12:36 PM

cowboyfordlord

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Thanks for the info. I just discovered my vacuum advance won't hold vacuum, so I will be replacing that and buying some recurve springs. The truck seems to run the best at about 15 degress advanced initial. I live at about 6k ft elevation. I will have to check my total timing again after new vac advance and springs. It was total timing about 39 degrees without vac advance connected.

Mar 20, 2013 | 01:41 PM

Freightrain

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From: Ohio

Put the lightest spring in and see if it likes it. If it knocks, then stiffen it up a bit til you find it's happy place. For best performance, you want as much timing as it can take. I run only one spring in a couple of my hotrods, but they are not workhorses, just toys. As long as it is stiff enough to return the plate back to initial timing when you shut it off. Mine actually pulls some in at idle which is okay. Just need it low enough at cranking speed so it doesn't buck the starter.

Mar 20, 2013 | 05:23 PM

tater_51

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I have the same cam going into my truck, Crane 343901, 75 F100 4x4, 416 (other than cam it's pretty much bone stock). I can't tell you how it runs as I'm still about a week out from dropping it in the truck. I sent my factory duraspark out to be rebuilt and the curve set with all the cam and truck information. This is what I received back:
14-15 degrees initial
500-0
1000-2
1500-7
2000-12
2500-16
3000-18
3300-20
Total of 34-36 degrees @3300 rpm
vacuum advance 11 degrees @18" vacuum

Don't know if that helps but that's what they set mine up at, opinions may vary. I'll know this spring if they set it up right.

Mar 20, 2013 | 11:29 PM

cowboyfordlord

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Thanks for the info tater. Sounds like a good curve based on what I just looked at on my truck yesterday. I will keep that for reference when I get springs for mine. Just got a new vac advance ordered. Who rebuilt your dist?