Timing problem
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 404
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From: Groton, CT
Timing problem
I have made a great many improvements on my Bronc, but have not messed around with advancing the timing. Decided to play around with it this weekend and hit an immediate snag.
Hooked up my timing light and fired the truck up, just to make sure I had good strobe and everything was working. Then I shut the truck down and removed the "spout" plug. When I fired the truck back up it ran like I had disconnected a couple of spark plug wires, and I had no strobe. Shut her down, put the "spout" plug back in and everything was fine. Tried a couple more times with the same result. Needless to say, I abandoned the project until I could pick your collective brains. I am putting my truck specs at the end of this email for clarification on exactly what my set up is.
While I have you thinking about timing, a couple of follow up questions. First, I have heard rumor that a digital timing light (advance adjustable) will not work properly when using a MSD ignition system. Something about the square waveform output of the MSD messing with a digital light's little brain, any thoughts? Second, with no timing marks (other than the single line) on my harmonic balancer, and nothing but a pointer mounted on the block, what technique do you use or what would you suggest to gauge my timing adjustment?
1996 Bronco, 5.0L, MSD 6A, Crane PS91 Coil, factory distributor.
Using digital timing light with adjustable advance.
Thanks for taking the time to read this, and double thanks if you expend any brain cells on this one.
Tom
Hooked up my timing light and fired the truck up, just to make sure I had good strobe and everything was working. Then I shut the truck down and removed the "spout" plug. When I fired the truck back up it ran like I had disconnected a couple of spark plug wires, and I had no strobe. Shut her down, put the "spout" plug back in and everything was fine. Tried a couple more times with the same result. Needless to say, I abandoned the project until I could pick your collective brains. I am putting my truck specs at the end of this email for clarification on exactly what my set up is.
While I have you thinking about timing, a couple of follow up questions. First, I have heard rumor that a digital timing light (advance adjustable) will not work properly when using a MSD ignition system. Something about the square waveform output of the MSD messing with a digital light's little brain, any thoughts? Second, with no timing marks (other than the single line) on my harmonic balancer, and nothing but a pointer mounted on the block, what technique do you use or what would you suggest to gauge my timing adjustment?
1996 Bronco, 5.0L, MSD 6A, Crane PS91 Coil, factory distributor.
Using digital timing light with adjustable advance.
Thanks for taking the time to read this, and double thanks if you expend any brain cells on this one.
Tom
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 368
Likes: 0
From: NH
i'm running a heavily modified motor with a msd 6al msd coi and msd distributor. when i first set the timing i used a digital snap on timing light and had no problems with the light. i don't know if it's because we used a high end timing light or some thing else. as for the timing i can't remember and will check my book. by then i bet one of the gurus will have the anwser but that's ok. that's what makes FTE so great.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 404
Likes: 0
From: Groton, CT
yup, checked all the usual stuff, no issues there. MSD Cap and Rotor in good condition with Taylor Spiro Pro wires. Engine was nice and toasty when I did this. I have the MSD quick disconnect harness, so I am thinking that I will try again this weekend by taking the MSD box out of the picture and see what happens.
