Timing Advance Problem
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4wd High
Joined: Nov 2023
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Timing Advance Problem
The 1977 ford 250 6.6 I'm working on either has a timing issue or I'm doing something wrong.
I bought piston 1 up to TDC, confimed distributor was pointing at #1 mark on cap, firing order is correct, and harmonic balancer is at 0 when at TDC.
When I use my timing light the TDC mark (0 on the balancer) will not appear until i set the advance on the light to 60.Distributor vacuum advance is not hooked up and plugged.
On a side when I connect the distributor advance the motor will die.
Can it be possible to actually have 60 degrees plus advance timing and would this cause the motor to die with vaccumm advance connected?
I bought piston 1 up to TDC, confimed distributor was pointing at #1 mark on cap, firing order is correct, and harmonic balancer is at 0 when at TDC.
When I use my timing light the TDC mark (0 on the balancer) will not appear until i set the advance on the light to 60.Distributor vacuum advance is not hooked up and plugged.
On a side when I connect the distributor advance the motor will die.
Can it be possible to actually have 60 degrees plus advance timing and would this cause the motor to die with vaccumm advance connected?
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4wd High
Joined: Nov 2023
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2018
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I doubt you could start it at 60 initial.
I would peak it out and then check your timing. advance the timing until it kicks the starter, then back it off until it stops. go out and drive, put a load on it at higher rpm and advance the timing until you hear pining, or retard it until you don't, them back it off a bit more. this is always how you optimize the advance for any engine. but to get that the curve may need work.
Then check your timing .what's your initial and your mechanical all in.
I would peak it out and then check your timing. advance the timing until it kicks the starter, then back it off until it stops. go out and drive, put a load on it at higher rpm and advance the timing until you hear pining, or retard it until you don't, them back it off a bit more. this is always how you optimize the advance for any engine. but to get that the curve may need work.
Then check your timing .what's your initial and your mechanical all in.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Albuquerque
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
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From: San Jose, CA
And sure that you’re actually clamping the light to the number one spark plug wire? :-)
Wouldn’t be the first time somebody used the Chevy orientation for testing.😉😁
Wouldn’t be the first time somebody used the Chevy orientation for testing.😉😁
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From: Angier, NC
BTW when checking if the timing mark is TDC or not it dose not need to be on compression stroke,only if the rotor is pointing to the #1 plug wire in the cap.
Now if the timing mark was at 0 and the piston at the top of the stroke on the hole you have the light on then I guess you cant have the wrong #1?
When you say "hook up vacuum" and it dies where are you hooking the hose to manifold or ported vacuum?
What was the RPM when you were checking the timing and got 60* BTDC?
What brought this all on to check the timing and find it like you did?
I would try a different light to see if you get the same thing as something is not right.
I also cant see the motor starting at 60* BTDC or even running at idle that far advance.
And why it dies with vacuum hooked up?
Dave ----
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