1977 400 timing setting
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: North Highlands USA
1977 400 timing setting
I have a 400 in my '77 F-150, but the engine actually came out of a mercury. While the sticker on the valve cover shows the timing setting at 16 degrees BTDC, I need to set it to the timing required for the truck since I have to smog it here in CA. Does anyone know what the sticker says for the truck version of the 400 for 1977?
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
1977 400 timing setting
The timing for your 400 should be the same for all 400's.
AFAIK The timing is meant for vehicles at SEA LEVEL.
So a vehicle that is being driven in the mountains (or above sea level)on a regular basis would require a different setting.
Dennis
Oh....Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving Up MY Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
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
AFAIK The timing is meant for vehicles at SEA LEVEL.
So a vehicle that is being driven in the mountains (or above sea level)on a regular basis would require a different setting.
Dennis
Oh....Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving Up MY Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
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
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: North Highlands USA
1977 400 timing setting
Allowable Emissions in California are different between a truck and a car. The timing I believe is around 8-10 degrees for a 400 in a truck, not what I have it set at now , 16 degrees, based on the sticker for the car, but I'm not 100% sure. I have to get my truck smogged and need to be sure of the correct timing setting so that it doesn't fail emissions testing, visual or otherwise. 
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
1977 400 timing setting
I understand your predicament.
If it was me ,I would time it at the point it is Most efficient
and least amount of emissions. If you set the timing at a certain degree according to specs and the wear of the engine causes MORE emissions at that setting,Isn't it defeating the purpose of getting the emissions down to minimum according to California law.
In other words, If the book says the timing should be set at 10* BTC
and due to the state the engine is in the emissions are higher than if you set it according to Vacuum pressure and the timing ends up at 14* BUT its the MOST efficient setting and gives less emission wouldn't this be better for you.
It's too bad it isn't a 79-80 vehicle ,I have all the info you'd ever need regarding Calif settings.
P.S. I'm only trying to help.
Dennis
Oh....Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving Up MY Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
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
If it was me ,I would time it at the point it is Most efficient
and least amount of emissions. If you set the timing at a certain degree according to specs and the wear of the engine causes MORE emissions at that setting,Isn't it defeating the purpose of getting the emissions down to minimum according to California law.
In other words, If the book says the timing should be set at 10* BTC
and due to the state the engine is in the emissions are higher than if you set it according to Vacuum pressure and the timing ends up at 14* BUT its the MOST efficient setting and gives less emission wouldn't this be better for you.
It's too bad it isn't a 79-80 vehicle ,I have all the info you'd ever need regarding Calif settings.
P.S. I'm only trying to help.
Dennis
Oh....Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving Up MY Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
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
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
1977 400 timing setting
Okay, I found my SPECIAL tune-up book that all the different
specs surrouding different engines.
The 77 400 = 8* BTC Calif. Auto 625 RPM
Calif models use an AR52 plug gapped at .060"
I have much more Calif. info.
Too much to list.
Dennis
Oh....Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving Up MY Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
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
specs surrouding different engines.
The 77 400 = 8* BTC Calif. Auto 625 RPM
Calif models use an AR52 plug gapped at .060"
I have much more Calif. info.
Too much to list.
Dennis
Oh....Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving Up MY Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
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
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: North Highlands USA
1977 400 timing setting
Dennis,
Thanks. I appreciate you finding that info.
Can you e-mail any of the other info, or give me the name of your SPECIAL tune-up book?
Rich
Thanks. I appreciate you finding that info.
Can you e-mail any of the other info, or give me the name of your SPECIAL tune-up book? Rich
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
1977 400 timing setting
How about I scan the page and E-Mail it to you?
You have to e-mail me direct so All I have to do is reply with it.
Ok?
Dennis
Oh....Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving Up MY Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
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
You have to e-mail me direct so All I have to do is reply with it.
Ok?
Dennis
Oh....Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving Up MY Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
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
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: North Highlands USA
1977 400 timing setting
Dennis,
I would really appreciat you sending that too me. I e-mailed you this morning. Thanks again!
Rich
I would really appreciat you sending that too me. I e-mailed you this morning. Thanks again!
Rich
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
1977 400 timing setting
They are on their way.
Dennis
Oh....Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving Up MY Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
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
Dennis
Oh....Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving Up MY Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
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
