Full MSD setup 83 Ford 460

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Apr 18, 2015 | 06:34 PM

kdullea

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Full MSD setup 83 Ford 460

I have installed a straight up timing chain, MSD ready to run Dist. 6A box with timing control. New long pipe headers, Eddlebrock intake and new Holley Carb.
My questions are:
1. Initial Timing: 8 deg. or 12 deg.? My carb guy said 12, my mechanic says 8.
2. Total timing: 28 deg or 32 deg.?
3. Full mechanical advance: at 2200-2400 rpm or 3200-3400 rpm?
I have a 4.10 rear end and a C6 trans. I run about 3400 rpm @65mph. 7mpg,
Any Ideas?
Thank You, Kevin

Apr 19, 2015 | 12:11 AM

econolinemanor

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Start at 8/28/3400 with 87 pump gas and tune on the fly, it will all depend on the Octane Gas you will be using. Spark Nock or high RPM miss will let you know when you hit the limit.......

Apr 19, 2015 | 09:03 AM

kdullea

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Start at 8/28/3400

Thank you econolinemanor,
I have been running 91 oct. When I started I had the two light springs and I was getting 8/28/2200. I changed to the green bushing and two light blue springs so now I am at 8/32/3200.
The off idle boog is gone, but seem to loose a little power. Guess I should have left the first bushing in there

The good news is that I have successfully De-Rattled the RV enough to actually hear any pinging.

Apr 19, 2015 | 10:21 AM

EagleFreek

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From: Fayetteville, TN

I may use a timing light for initial setup, but after that I use a vacuum gauge, feel and my ears. Especially, on an older engine. Unless you have verified TDC on your balancer is true TDC.

Apr 19, 2015 | 05:21 PM

kdullea

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Quote:

Originally Posted by EagleFreek

I may use a timing light for initial setup, but after that I use a vacuum gauge, feel and my ears. Especially, on an older engine. Unless you have verified TDC on your balancer is true TDC.

Thank you, for your input. I have been meaning to get a vac gage but haven't found one locally. I wish I could find one that matches my tac. So what you are saying is that you can see the change in vac when you change timing? On the fly?

Apr 19, 2015 | 05:27 PM

kdullea

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Quote:

Originally Posted by econolinemanor

Start at 8/28/3400 with 87 pump gas and tune on the fly, it will all depend on the Octane Gas you will be using. Spark Nock or high RPM miss will let you know when you hit the limit.......

Ok, I put the blue bushing back in and everything is as it should be. No off idle boog, decent power. Now I need to address the RPMs. everyone says that the power band is between 2500-2900. Should I get an overdrive or something like a 3.73 ring and pinion. The calculator says that 3.73 rear end would put me at about 2900 RPM @ 65.

Is it worth it? I can't drive 55!

Apr 19, 2015 | 06:16 PM

econolinemanor

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RVs are so un-aerodynamic that anything over 50-60 mph is just a waste of gas and loads the engine enough at any RPM to burn the Exhaust Manifolds off......LOL. 1983 it was 55 mph out there.........