Timing education
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 314
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From: North Carolina
Originally Posted by Beemer Nut
They say you can gain a few HP to the tires with synthetic oils. This ain't NASCAR here just a FE powered jalopy right?
Remember, some is good, more is better and too much is about right!
Remember, some is good, more is better and too much is about right!
No this isn't Nascar, just a restored 68 F100 that would like to eat up (or just stay close to) my buddy's small block 400 in a 70 ish Nova. Don't think I have a chance but worth a shot I guess. Oh and after the break-in period I am switching to Rotella Synthetic. I am a firm believer in synthetic, but that is a whole other conversation right there. lol
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 314
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From: North Carolina
I know this is an old thread but didn't think I needed to start another one just for this question. I took my dizzy to a performance shop and they set up the advance curve for me. It is full in at 2700 rpm's. They told me to set my total timing to 32 deg. I put the dizzy back in and started the motor and let it warm up then checked the timing with an Advanced timing light.(one with the adjusting ****) It said the timing was at like 52 deg. at 2700. Can this be right or is the light messed up? When we set it to 32 deg. at 2700 the motor will not start. Sounds like it is knocking while trying to crank it. Any ideas?????? 
EDIT::They also told me with the cam I am using (292H Comp) not to use the vaccum advance. This is a standard Ford dizzy, MSD ignition and the Pertronix II kit installed.
EDIT::They also told me with the cam I am using (292H Comp) not to use the vaccum advance. This is a standard Ford dizzy, MSD ignition and the Pertronix II kit installed.
Last edited by pbear6969; Nov 28, 2006 at 09:17 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 314
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From: North Carolina
Originally Posted by Hypoid
Was the vacuum advance hooked up?
If they told you to set total at 32*, what did they say to set initial at?
If they told you to set total at 32*, what did they say to set initial at?
No the vacuum advance wasn't hooked up. They didn't tell me anything about initial, just to set it at 32 deg. at around 2700 rpm.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 314
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From: North Carolina
Originally Posted by Hypoid
OK, what was your initial timing when you had 52*@2700rpm?
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Originally Posted by Hypoid
Are you sure the engine indexes (#1 @ TDC, both valves closed) with the pointer at 0* on the damper?
I had the cam degreed in, but as for indexing I am not sure about that.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,574
Likes: 4
From: Golden, CO
All I'm doing is narrowing down the possibilities. If you bring #1 piston to TDC right after the intake valve closes, the timing pointer should be on 0* at the harmonic balancer. If that is not the case the balancer needs replaced. If the engine does index the way I described, the light is suspect.
Based on what you have typed, I'm thinking the light is the first most likely suspect. Double check the damper to eliminate that possibility.
The total change from initial to full in is 26*? Nice round number; is the dizzy set up on a 13L slot? I'll try posting a link.
Based on what you have typed, I'm thinking the light is the first most likely suspect. Double check the damper to eliminate that possibility.
The total change from initial to full in is 26*? Nice round number; is the dizzy set up on a 13L slot? I'll try posting a link.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,574
Likes: 4
From: Golden, CO
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Originally Posted by Hypoid
All I'm doing is narrowing down the possibilities. If you bring #1 piston to TDC right after the intake valve closes, the timing pointer should be on 0* at the harmonic balancer. If that is not the case the balancer needs replaced. If the engine does index the way I described, the light is suspect.
Based on what you have typed, I'm thinking the light is the first most likely suspect. Double check the damper to eliminate that possibility.
The total change from initial to full in is 26*? Nice round number; is the dizzy set up on a 13L slot? I'll try posting a link.
Based on what you have typed, I'm thinking the light is the first most likely suspect. Double check the damper to eliminate that possibility.
The total change from initial to full in is 26*? Nice round number; is the dizzy set up on a 13L slot? I'll try posting a link.
I will try the balancer thing first. I borrowed that light from my uncle and see that sears has them on sale for $50 so I will just go buy my own and try it. Not sure what the dizzy is set on. He done it and gave it back. I will try to check it and repost my findings. Thanks
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,056
Likes: 8
From: Union, Washington
Sounds to me that you don't know how to set timing using max timing as a reference. Try setting initial at 10° as see what total is. Then adjust initial up whatever degrees the max timing is short of 32°.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,248
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I have always had good luck setting initial timing at 12 degrees, the elevation is 6,000 feet. On a hot cam, I have understood higher initial timing. It like as discussed, try 10, check total timing for 32 degrees.
If total is 42 degrees, with initial timing set at 10 degrees, then the distributor will need to be reset by the manufacture. Just supply them with the information at initial and what the distributor has for total.
If total is 42 degrees, with initial timing set at 10 degrees, then the distributor will need to be reset by the manufacture. Just supply them with the information at initial and what the distributor has for total.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 1
From: Colville, Washington
It sounds like the initial is set too far advanced, I think you mentioned it was around 24* or 26*? Back that off to 10* and check your full advance. The high initial would cause the "knocking" when you try to start it. 32* total advance is a bit low for an FE from what I have heard, most seem to run fine in the 38* to as much as 44* or so.