Notices
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

ignition timing question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 4, 2006 | 11:53 AM
  #1  
jhnhardee's Avatar
jhnhardee
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 101
Likes: 1
From: Columbia,S.C.
ignition timing question

after i set my timing in when i plug back in the spout it retards it 5 more deg. (ex .my base is 15deg btdc plug in spout and re-check its about 20deg btdc)
is this a tell, tell sign of some kina of problem? I'm trying to run down some koeo codes.(14,and 19)(pip and cid)
 
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2006 | 01:35 PM
  #2  
andym's Avatar
andym
Post Fiend
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
That's why you take the spout connector out - because the timing is different when it's installed.

Are you sure you want to set it to 15 BTDC? Unless you know what you're doing, it should be 10.
 
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2006 | 08:13 PM
  #3  
Red Raider 4x4's Avatar
Red Raider 4x4
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Greenville PA
Wink

Pull the spout out adjust your tiiming to 12BDTC put the spout back in and you'll still be at 12BDTC. Make sure when you have the spout out that your truck is fully warmed up to operation temperture. I take it your still running a 195 TStat. This is what I'm running on my truck with no problems. You'll get a little extra out the hole.
 
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2006 | 08:37 PM
  #4  
andym's Avatar
andym
Post Fiend
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
If the timing is the same whether the spout connector is installed or not, then why bother to take it out? Doesn't make much sense to me.

And my timing does change with the spout removed.
 
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2006 | 09:36 PM
  #5  
95X15's Avatar
95X15
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 484
Likes: 0
From: SC lowcountry
Spout jumper disables PCM input to advance timing so you can set the base timing without the PCM trying to correct it while you are working on it. Depending on the PCM input, which is based on a whole lot of engine parameters, it will do what it thinks is necessary to the timing once the spout is plugged back in. Most of the time the PCM will change the timing once it is back in control.
 
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2006 | 09:44 PM
  #6  
Grsyhands's Avatar
Grsyhands
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
I'm sure I know but how are you guys adjusting the timing. Thought, from all I read it's not adjustable. I've got a 4.2l, 6, that I put a new motor in and it feels a bit weak to me. I've been thinking timing but manuals all say "not adjustable", what up with that?
 
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2006 | 11:17 PM
  #7  
95X15's Avatar
95X15
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 484
Likes: 0
From: SC lowcountry
If you have a distributor with a holddown clamp, the base timing is adjustable; check your emissions label for setting value. Later models use a crankshaft/camshaft position sensors to trigger ignition coils to engine position instead of distributor rotor.
 
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2006 | 11:11 AM
  #8  
jhnhardee's Avatar
jhnhardee
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 101
Likes: 1
From: Columbia,S.C.
well i do have the 302 ho which is 15 deg btdc? right? anywho, yeah i did take the spout out to adjust it, and the water temp gauge was between 180 and 200, got it set turned the truck off plugged in spout started it back up and about 20, so should i be setting it less than 15 deg., iwas just going on what the guys at ford racing said.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jan 6, 2006 | 11:20 AM
  #9  
andym's Avatar
andym
Post Fiend
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
OK, I'm not sure what it should be on the HO motors. If you've been told that it's 15, then stick with that, especially if you're not getting any pinging.

grsyhands, you'd have better luck asking your question in the 4.2l forum - we don't know too much about those new-fangled engines in here.
 
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2006 | 11:46 AM
  #10  
Grsyhands's Avatar
Grsyhands
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
andym,

Just thought I'd ask while we were on the subject of timing. Don't know to much about these new fangled deals myself but I'm learning. Will shoot over to the the 4.2 guys. Thanks
 
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2006 | 02:05 PM
  #11  
mhg's Avatar
mhg
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,279
Likes: 1
From: savannah,ga
Just to clear up your first statement
going from 15 BTDC to 20BTDC is advancing
the timing not retarding
 
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2006 | 05:19 PM
  #12  
SVTCobra306's Avatar
SVTCobra306
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
HO motors call for 10 degrees BTDC stock setting also. I haven't run into a Ford EFI motor that doesn't like 12 degrees though. Anything more than 14 degrees you need aluminum heads, and many motors with carbon buildup won't like more than 12 degrees.

If everything is working properly and the vehicle is warmed up, you plug the SPOUT back in and the timing will dance around, the computer is using timing along with the IAC solenoid to maintain a smooth idle.
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:50 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE