I have a '77 351m (not sure if it came with the vehicle or not) that needs to be timed bad. Instead of the timing needle that I am used to seeing, this one has a metal tab with a rounded end instead of a point with a circle in it about 1/2" in diameter, through which you can just make out the timing marks. Do you line the marks up on the balancer INSIDE of this circle? I lived in a small town, and the mechanics and the Ford dealerships were stunned at what was on it. The Ford dealership said that there was a special tool that attatched to it (that they didn't have) however this is a '77 and wouldn't require anything computerized. The local mechanic said it was something that someone had put on it in place of the real timing needle. I could see this (as every 400 block I have ever seen has a needle, but this is a 351m and they can be a little quirky). I looked closer at the peice, and low and behold it is firmly attatched. I can follow the metal to the point it disapears behind the harmonic balancer. The only way to have attatched it would require dismantling the pulleys and balancer on the engine...who would have done that, only to add a homemade timing apparatus. Please, anyone have any idea what this is and how to time by it???

As a side note, this is my 2nd old ford. The first was a '74 2x4 F100...now that was a fun truck! Both are murder to steer, especially now that I have the larger (balder) tires. The steering has a lot of play in it, mechanics tell me that you can tighten the power-steering gear (the splines can develop play over time) and that will tighten it up, but in order to check it would cost the same as just doing that repair, and I don't know if that is really the case or if the gearbox may just be worn out. The steering is a common problem, what are some recommended checks to improve this?

 

Tip #1.
On the harmonic balancer if it has a slot for the timing
mark,take some *White-out* and paint this mark for easier
visiblity.

Steering gear tightening.
On the top of the steering gear there is a slotted threaded piece and a nut to hold it.
loosen the nut 1-1-/2 turns while holding the slotted part.
Once the nut is loose,turn the screw in 1/4 turn >tighten the nut>
Check steering,if it is still loose >adjust it some more until it's good to drive.
Simple.
Dennis

Oh....Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving Up MY Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"




https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=144&.jpg
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=143&.jpg
78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles

 

Justin,
Dennis is right on! Clean that harmonic balancer up so you can see your marks. Now comes the good stuff. Take a reference when you time it. Set your timing based on one mark on the harmonic balancer and you "pointer". But, when you time it, time it so it idles well. Remember were your mark is with respect to your pointer. Now drive it.
1. Does it ping? Retard timing.
2. Does it over heat? Retard timing
3. Does it start well when cold? No, advance timing. Assume no other problems.
4. Does it start well when hot? No, retard timing
The 351Ms I've seen don't like to start hot. They slug a few times and then crank. If this is the case and it runs well and does not overheat and does not ping, leave it alone. Remember where you've finally set it so you can do a quicky the next time you've got it broke down.
My way is the Highway
KingFisher

 

Thanks for the help, but my big question is trying to discern how to read the "pointer". It is not a needle like I am used to...it is about 2" wide and at the end it has a 1/2" circular hole through it. I think the hole is big enough to just see the marks, but not sure. You could also time along the edge of the metal peice, but that doesn't look right to me. Right now it is timed by ear...it starts fine, and idles like a dream. When you stomp on it there is a breif hesitation but then it springs to life. On hard hills you just better plan on taking it easy or the engine will start to stutter and drop you down to about 45mph and then pick up and move again like nothing happened. I think the carb definatly needs replaced, but I don't think the distributer is even advancing like it is supposed to. Unfortanutly I am not a mechanic by any stretch of the imagination, and this may sound stupid, but I cannot locate the darn fuel filter (the repair manual said for a '77 Ranger it should be an in-line...).

So please, anyone have a 351m and have this strange timing "pointer" with the hole in it.

 

Oddly enough, the '77 351W that I just put inplace of my 400 has both the tab with hole and a "normal" pointer. I waondered as well what that hole was for since I've got a more traditional pointer to use for timing.
Kenny

 

Yep , It's the Sight Hole.
If you paint the correct timing line with white-out,it will be easier to see through the hole.

Dennis

Oh....Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving Up MY Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"




https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=144&.jpg
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=143&.jpg
78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles

 

Sweet news Dennis, thanks so much for the help. It is comforting to know that it is not something someone has thrown on there for heaven only knows why...

 

>Oddly enough, the '77 351W that I just put inplace of my 400
>has both the tab with hole and a "normal" pointer. I
>waondered as well what that hole was for since I've got a
>more traditional pointer to use for timing.
>Kenny

Is the tab with the circle in a position to let you time correctly w/o using the normal pointer? Or is it above or below the pointer?

 

Justin
Find out what degree you should be setting your timing to. Clean your harmonic bal. up and mark(paint) it with some liquid paper or a light colored crayon. Hook up your timing light. Mark where your distributor is first (in case this doesn't work). Then time your truck with your colored mark in the center of the hole. If your truck runs better, keep it there. If not turn it back to where it was. If you have a points set up? Make sure your gap and dwell are set properly before determining if your new timing setting is wrong.
I would recommend trying to rebuild your carb yourself first. You said your not to mechanically inclined. But I promise you many of the good tips you will get from this board come from knowlegdable but hard knox learned individuals. You can always come back here for a wealth of info. Worst case take it to your local mech. For a minimal price say $100 buck he would rebuild it for you. Not trying to say it will be a simple task. But if you plane on keeping a classic, you had better learn how to caress and nurture her.
Goodluck

 

This hole may be a place for a magnetic pick-up to be placed in it and the timing is read directly from a meter.

 

Ah hah! 7220 the man with the answers!

 

Thanks for the info guys...

I was speaking w/another Mechanic friend of mine (unforatanutly he is not that close of a friend so that rules out much help) but he said that he was familiar with the setup and agreed that it was desiged to have a magnetic sensor put on it, but I should be able to time through the hole. Thanks,

 

OK, Now you've got me interested. I seem to be having problems with my 84 F150 351W 4 bl. can't get it started. Anyway i've been playing with the timing and my timing tab has both a pointer and the circle hole about 2" or so before the pointer. I was told to time it at TDC to the pointer, is this correct or should i be using the circle to line up @ TDC and drop Dist. in so it points to #1 ?
Thanks!
-Carl

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 27-Jan-02 AT 00:35 AM (EST)]As previously posted,this hole is a sight hole for timing,
with a timing light.
Mark the correct spot on the balancer with "White Out"(liquid paper)for easier viewing.


Dennis

"Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As I'm Saving My memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"

1978 F-150 429CJ 4v,C6 Silver w/explorer package
1968 Mustang 289-2v Sunlit Gold 80,892 miles
1964 1/2 Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
1964-Fairlane 500 S/C
Soon to be with a 390-4 spd.