OK I have a 95 F150 5.8L and I've checked my timing today without the S.PLUG in and its reading 6-7. Now I know the base timing is supposed to be at 10 but why is it so low? I have never touched the timing on this engine it runs great. Will adjusting that idle screw throw it off because I messed with it a couple of years back not knowing it was factory set. I would like to try and advance it a bit if possible. What are your thoughts?

 

Are you the original owner? If the lock bolt isn't tightened down correctly the distributor can creep a little and it will always retard the ignition when it does. So try it at 10deg, then try it at 12, and even go to 14 for kicks, and then back it off a degree when you finally get it to where it pings under load.

 

Thanks Conanski for the reply. I will adjust tomorrow