Just a quick stupid question about timing a 429/460. Does the timing indicator on the engine denote TDC, or does it mark 14 degrees before TDC (or whatever the recommended timing setting is)? When I bought my truck it was very sluggish. I checked the timing and it was timed right to the mark, and the engine vaccuum was WAY low, less than 10 in. I advanced the timing quite a bit and my vaccuum shot up over 20, but I want to make sure that I'm not advancing the timing too much. Any help/advice is appreciated.

 

My timing mark is "O" log mark in dampener...then a small marks to 10 then marks to 20 and marks to 30....

If I get your meaning


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__JOHN__Õ¿ö
FTE Club #7
Member-
http://www.cruisin-north.com/
Santa Rosa, Calif.
72 F-250
ICQ#6030753
http://www.ford-trucks.net/users/jbhf250/
https://www.ford-trucks.com/pictorial/big/1972_f250_2.html

 

sounds like your going in the right direction. on a 429 you should be able to get around about 18 degrees advance, that with the vacuum hose plugged at the distributor ,( that's initial timing ) your motor should run nice and smooth. if you advance the timing to far the motor will start to spark knock, if that happens just retard the timing back about 2 degrees at a time and test drive again to see if the spark knock is gone. depending on what year 429 you have to older ones between 1968 - 1971 you might have to run preminum fuel because these engines are high compression motors in 1968 they were 11.0:1 compression. and from 1969 thru 1971 they were 10.5:1 compression. after you get your initial timing set, connect your vacuum hose at the distributor and with the timing light point it at the timing marks and rev the motor a little to make sure the vacuum advance is working ok. when you connect the hose the timing should go up to like 26 degrees for example. CJ....

 

My timing indicator is just a pointer... there is no graduated indicator. I've got a 71 250 six cylinder that's got one of those and I like it a lot better. I'm hoping the pointer indicates 0 degrees, as the truck seems to respond and run much better with the timing advanced. How would you know exactly how many degrees advance you have on an engine like this? Can you buy degree tape that's made to the diameter of that specific pulley/dampener? Thanks a lot for the help.

 

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/User_files/mil1ion/3be630737fae3fb5.gif
What altitude is this engine trying to run at.
You know,
How many feet above SEA LEVEL ?
The altitude does make a little difference for timing/performance.
Dennis

78 F-150 429CJ 465,000 KM.(Original Owner)
68 Mustang 289 Sunlit Gold 80,000 Miles(second Owner)
64 1/2,260 Pre-World's Fair Mustang #8092
64 Fairlane 500 S/C,waiting for a 390 4-Spd

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