Timming ?
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,557
Likes: 44
From: Concord, NC
Stock spec is 10° BTDC, but a lot of folks have advanced a degree or two from there without any problems. Best power and economy will come when timing is advanced as possible without experiencing any knock. I usually set timing by advancing the timing until I hear knock, then retard the timing a degree or two from there.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 11,289
Likes: 6
From: Lakewood, Ohio
timing by ear is not really a good idea with the computer.
you are just wasting your time.
do it right or leave it alone.
you are just wasting your time.
do it right or leave it alone.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,557
Likes: 44
From: Concord, NC
Set it to the spec and leave something on the table? For the record, my truck's running right on 10° right now because, well, it pings any more advanced than that, probably due to age and mileage. 100000 miles ago I could run 12 easily. As it is, I still have to run 89 octane to keep it from pinging even at the factory spec.
I'm not the "people" that you speak of, Bruce, and no one has ever gotten any business from me setting the timing on my truck by ear.
Quicklook, it's not a waste of time either. Moving that distributor still changes the timing, even computer controlled (at least on these trucks). Adjusting the distributor equally changes the advance curve across the entire load/rpm range.
I can see you guys' perspective, though, since not everyone knows what they are doing maybe it isn't a good idea for me to suggest timing by ear to someone else on the board here. I've written an entire spark timing table for an engine on an engine dyno, so I do know a little about what I'm doing.
I'm not the "people" that you speak of, Bruce, and no one has ever gotten any business from me setting the timing on my truck by ear.
Quicklook, it's not a waste of time either. Moving that distributor still changes the timing, even computer controlled (at least on these trucks). Adjusting the distributor equally changes the advance curve across the entire load/rpm range.
I can see you guys' perspective, though, since not everyone knows what they are doing maybe it isn't a good idea for me to suggest timing by ear to someone else on the board here. I've written an entire spark timing table for an engine on an engine dyno, so I do know a little about what I'm doing.
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Originally Posted by EPNCSU2006
Set it to the spec and leave something on the table? For the record, my truck's running right on 10° right now because, well, it pings any more advanced than that, probably due to age and mileage. 100000 miles ago I could run 12 easily. As it is, I still have to run 89 octane to keep it from pinging even at the factory spec.
I'm not the "people" that you speak of, Bruce, and no one has ever gotten any business from me setting the timing on my truck by ear.
Quicklook, it's not a waste of time either. Moving that distributor still changes the timing, even computer controlled (at least on these trucks). Adjusting the distributor equally changes the advance curve across the entire load/rpm range.
I can see you guys' perspective, though, since not everyone knows what they are doing maybe it isn't a good idea for me to suggest timing by ear to someone else on the board here. I've written an entire spark timing table for an engine on an engine dyno, so I do know a little about what I'm doing.
I'm not the "people" that you speak of, Bruce, and no one has ever gotten any business from me setting the timing on my truck by ear.
Quicklook, it's not a waste of time either. Moving that distributor still changes the timing, even computer controlled (at least on these trucks). Adjusting the distributor equally changes the advance curve across the entire load/rpm range.
I can see you guys' perspective, though, since not everyone knows what they are doing maybe it isn't a good idea for me to suggest timing by ear to someone else on the board here. I've written an entire spark timing table for an engine on an engine dyno, so I do know a little about what I'm doing.
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Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 11,289
Likes: 6
From: Lakewood, Ohio
i am not in the mood to argue with you.
i do it the correct way, spout out, 10 degrees for stock or 12 to 14 for a little more performance and than spout back in.
i have been happy with 10 degrees and that is where i keep it.
for most people doing it by ear is just asking for trouble.
i do it the correct way, spout out, 10 degrees for stock or 12 to 14 for a little more performance and than spout back in.
i have been happy with 10 degrees and that is where i keep it.
for most people doing it by ear is just asking for trouble.
Last edited by quicklook2; May 30, 2007 at 02:51 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
Even if you know what you are doing, and Eric is definitely in that crowd, I wouldn't suggest to anyone to set their timing by ear. There's just too much margin for error.
Also, even if you can't actually hear knocking, it might still be happening. If it were me, I would not move it past 10 BTDC.
Also, even if you can't actually hear knocking, it might still be happening. If it were me, I would not move it past 10 BTDC.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,557
Likes: 44
From: Concord, NC
Would you mind posting that timing table when you get a chance?
10 degrees for stock or 12 to 14 for a little more performance and than spout back in
Last edited by EPNCSU2006; May 30, 2007 at 03:27 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 11,289
Likes: 6
From: Lakewood, Ohio
many forum members do the 12 to 14 setting, they also use premium and have other mods.
i do not advance mine past specs.
if i did not mention that, under certain condition, some advance the timing, than i would be blasted.
instead i included that info and you question it.
eric, i am aware that you know a lot about f150. but so do i.
what works for you or me may not be what works for everyone.
i do not advance mine past specs.
if i did not mention that, under certain condition, some advance the timing, than i would be blasted.
instead i included that info and you question it.
eric, i am aware that you know a lot about f150. but so do i.
what works for you or me may not be what works for everyone.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,557
Likes: 44
From: Concord, NC
what works for you or me may not be what works for everyone.