How cridical is the initial ign. timing on a 95 F-150-5.0. My truck is weak, eats fuel and hickups under load. I can understand the hickups if I drank as much as it does I would hickup too. Does anyone know the procedure for setting initial timing? The only mods I have so far is an Accel 300+ ign. Any help woud be appreciated.

 

To set base timing, you need to pull the SPOUT connector (near the distributor or on the driver's fender near the firewall, then hook a timing light to the #1 cylinder (passenger side, front of the vehicle). 10 degrees BTDC is the correct timing.

Jason

 

Thanks, I'll try that in the morning. I hope this will help my symptoms.

 

On a related note, if I run premium can I advance my timing?

 

Chance,

Initial base timing is very important...if the timing is off your truck is going to get terrible gas mileage and performance.
You will need a timing light first of all. Warm the engine up to normal operating temp and shut it off. Disconnect the SPOUT plug from the ignition module harness, this disables the computer controlled advance and you can't set the base timing properly without it unplugged. Lossen the distributor hold down bolt enough that you can turn the distributor by hand. Connect your timing light to plug wire #1, start her up and check to see where your timing is by observing the mark on the harmonic balancer in relation to the scale on the timing gear cover. It should be at about 10 degrees BTDC. If not rotate the distributor...turning it clockwise advances the base timing and counterclockwise retards the base timing. Do this carefully untill you get it where you want it and then lock down the distributor. Reconnect the SPOUT plug and it should run a lot better. Be very careful while working around the engine while it is running....if you are not confident with this procedure take it to a local garage...it usually doesn't cost too much just to get your timing adjusted and makes a big difference if it needs it.

Johnny


1988 Ford F-150 Custom 4.9L EFI 4 speed dual exhaust glasspack alloywheels
1990 Ford Mustang LX 5.0 Hatchback AOD Bassani X pipe w/ Flowmasters
1993 Ford Mustang LX Coupe 5 speed

.....................................God Bless Henry Ford.....................................

 

I'm not sure Roadvirus, but I think the computer would return the total timing(the timing that is calculated by the computer) back to the timing it has been programed to have. Plus too much advance can give starting problems. I hope someone corrects me if I'm wrong cause most of my experence has been with OBC 2 which probalyly reacts different than the OBC1. This is a new fronteer for me.

Thanks for the info John, I hope this will help me!!!!

 

Base timing is all that you can set. The rest is done by the computer, that's why you have to pull the SPOUT before you can set the timing. Otherwise, what you'll see with the timing light hooked up (and the SPOUT in place) is total timing, and it will typically jump around quite a bit as the computer maintains the idle.

Jason

 

Oh, ok. Thanks guys. I guess I'll have to wait til' I get that Tweecer.

 

Total timing is base timing plus the timing advance by the computer.
In other words the computer does not know what you set your base timing to and thinks you set it to 10 BTDC. If the computer wants to advance it 10 Deg. then 10 + 10 is 20 Deg. Adv.

OBC 2 (OBD2) works the same if you have a distributor on the engine and it does not use a CPM sensor at the crankshaft.

 

Yes some, you can try 12-14 BTDC.
As I understand it that is all the Tweecer does except the engine will be cranking and starting at 10 BTDC.

 

When you put the timing light on it and before you move the distributor and after you pull out the SPOUT if nobody else has moved the distributor and the timing light says about 12 BTDC then you have a bad timing chain.

 

Thanks a bunch Subford, I'll soak up all the info I can. Like I say this is a new fronteer for me and I am willing to listen and learn as much as I can.