Timing
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 173
Likes: 2
From: WI
Timing
I am gettin ready to do a cam and intake swap on a stock 400. while I'm inside the timing cover, would it be wise to retard the timing 4 degrees? Or, would it be inaffective on an otherwise stock engine?
Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 207
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From: Wisconsin
is the purpose of the cam/intake swap to increase performance or restore original equipment? i believe that the only reason ford retarded the timing by 4 degrees was to meet emissions. you shouldnt have to worry too much about that in wisconsin. if you are replacing the stock 2v intake with a 4v and a better cam i would also install a double roller timing chain and set the timing at 0 degrees, or "straight up". the stock timing chain setup wasn't so great.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 298
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From: Central Texas
Cafeful use of term "timing"
I know y'all are talking about cam/ crank timing, not ignition timing. The 4 degree retard is in the cam/ crank timing. Is the only way to correct this retard to replace the timing set with an aftermarket kit, or can the stock timing set be adjusted?
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,473
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From: Coal Country, ND
I just put a comp cams 265 deh k-kit in my truck last weekend and everything went off without a hitch. The kit included one of their (I believe) Magnum double rollers, seems to work fine. I set the timing "straight up", although you could go +/- 4*
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 193
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From: Ohio
I beleive if you used a stock timing chain set for a early year 351 cleveland it will should not be retarded.
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Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Wabaunsee,KS
I just got an SA GEAR timing set for my 400M. It is a double roller with 3 keyways. They are marked:
Factory standard timing ( original OE valve timing )
Camshaft advance 4*
Camshaft retard 4*
Since factory timing is retarded 4*, would choosing the ADVANCE 4* option cancel out the factory 4* retard and give me the "straight up" setting which is recommended.
I don't believe there is a "straight up" choice with this timing set. At least it's not marked that way. Any help would be appreciated. I want to do this once. AND CORRECT. THANX
Factory standard timing ( original OE valve timing )
Camshaft advance 4*
Camshaft retard 4*
Since factory timing is retarded 4*, would choosing the ADVANCE 4* option cancel out the factory 4* retard and give me the "straight up" setting which is recommended.
I don't believe there is a "straight up" choice with this timing set. At least it's not marked that way. Any help would be appreciated. I want to do this once. AND CORRECT. THANX
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 143
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From: Auburn, WA
I have the same set, it is marked "A", "0" and "R". The difference between A - R is 4 degrees, giving you 2 degrees each way. If you had the marks lined up on the stocker when you pulled it off, and you hold the crank gear down with the "0" where the key is, you will see that you can turn the crank to the slot for the "a" and leave the "0" on the mark, once you do that then push on the crank gear. You will be 2 degrees advanced. Have fun with that timing cover seal (if you did not drop the oil pan)
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Wabaunsee,KS
rchewitt50,
Yes. My set is a double roller which allow +/-4* of advance or retard from stock 0.
I just checked the stock set of gears ( very loosy ) and they match the SA GEAR set when on the "Factory Standard Timing" option. My three keyways are marked with an "o" ( stock ), triangle (+4*), and rectangle (-4*). I set the SA GEAR set on the +4* mark and compared to stock set and it does move the cam forward in it's travel. Crank was in the same position each time. I suppose I'll choose that option. I will be adding headers to a basically stock engine. Just freshening it up with a timing set, oil pump and related gaskets and seals. Nothing more than that is needed for my old F-350 farm truck ( in its previous life ). Soon to be my "trailer pulling" truck
Yes. My set is a double roller which allow +/-4* of advance or retard from stock 0.
I just checked the stock set of gears ( very loosy ) and they match the SA GEAR set when on the "Factory Standard Timing" option. My three keyways are marked with an "o" ( stock ), triangle (+4*), and rectangle (-4*). I set the SA GEAR set on the +4* mark and compared to stock set and it does move the cam forward in it's travel. Crank was in the same position each time. I suppose I'll choose that option. I will be adding headers to a basically stock engine. Just freshening it up with a timing set, oil pump and related gaskets and seals. Nothing more than that is needed for my old F-350 farm truck ( in its previous life ). Soon to be my "trailer pulling" truck
