1972 360 fe timing

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Mar 1, 2015 | 12:33 PM

chiefsfootball

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1972 360 fe timing

In my 360 I have a cloyes timing set. From what I understand these engines came timed 6* retarded but I now have the dots on the crank and cam lined straight up. It idles really slow and I notice I need to give it more gas when taking off. Anyone know the initial timing that would be good for it? It's a 4 speed if that matters. Thanks.

Mar 1, 2015 | 02:16 PM

HIO Silver

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From: NorCal

I have mine set at 10 btdc.

Mar 1, 2015 | 03:02 PM

Rasputin53

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Joined: Mar 2013

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From: Garner NC

Figure 26 on page 08-06-14 of my 69 shop manual shows the timing marks and the cam pin in a straight line when assembled correctly.
Good info in this thread:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...60-timing.html

Mar 2, 2015 | 03:59 PM

JEFFFAFA

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From: Phoenix, Az.

Sounds to me like you are blending two things together. Ford did retard the "cam" timing on like the 460 2* to help with emissions. But on a FE engine line up the timing gears straight up. I think the crank/spark timing might have been 6* BEFORE Top Dead Center factory but it'll run better at Hio's 10* BTDC.

Mar 2, 2015 | 05:02 PM

351Cleveland C4

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From: On the Edge of the Desert

10 is good, I run 14 on my cleveland, but I'm on the edge of pinging.

Mar 2, 2015 | 05:07 PM

chiefsfootball

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Alright. Thanks. I'm right past 10. Probably 11 or 12. But I have tried to take it down a little more and it doesn't like that. It bogs down.

Mar 2, 2015 | 05:40 PM

351Cleveland C4

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From: On the Edge of the Desert

Ignition timing has to be adjusted WITH idle speed and mixture to have the engine run properly.

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Mar 2, 2015 | 06:34 PM

Tedster9

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From: Waterloo, Iowa

And crank or initial timing is just a piece of the puzzle. Disconnect and plug vacuum advance. Stay out of the plane of the fan blades, but run the engine up in neutral with a timing light and observe the total mechanical advance. Note "when" it comes is well as how much, you'll want to see all of it (crank + mechanical) before 3000 RPM at least. Your distributor mechanical advance could easily be worn, sticking, not suited for your application, etc.