Timing marks
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Joined: Feb 2001
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Timing marks
What degree or timing mark (I'm not sure how to phrase it) do I use for the ignition timing on a 1973 390. Chiltons and Hanyes both say to look in the engine compartment, but my cab is a 78 f-150 Ranger XLT and I'm not sure what the chassis is from. I just finished the valve job and it starts, but I'd like to do it right. If you need engine numbers I can get them in the morning.
thanks-MikeD
thanks-MikeD
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,624
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From: Missouri
Timing marks
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 18-Feb-01 AT 03:00 AM (EST)[/font][p]I'm not quite sure what you mean either but there should be a metal pointer right above the harmonic balancer. Put a chalk mark at about 6 degrees BTDC, disconnect your vaccum advance and put a timing light on it. This is the factory setting but on my 390 it will backfire through the carb at this setting so you may need to advance it a little more to like 12BTDC. Hope I answered your question somewhere in here. I think all you wanted was the correct degree but just in case I threw the rest in.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 1999
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Timing marks
I would say, advance it till it starts to ping under a load, then back it off slightly... try 10degrees BTDC as a start. On my smallblock, I just had distributor rebuilt and recurved. Before the centrifical advance was coming on too quickly. Before the rebuild I couldn't have it advanced beyond about 5degrees w/o ping... now I have it set at 11degrees w/ no ping. My 390 w/ Crane electronic ignition is set at 10degrees currently. Rotating the distributor clockwise, advances the timing, counterclockwise retards it. Too much advance you get ping... to little you loose power. Make sure you pull the vaccume advance off the distributor, and then reconnect when you are done.
BBT
BBT
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