On my 89 460 efi f250 stock timing is set at 10btdc. I have read that it is safe to advance timing to 14 or 15 degrees btdc so that being said would advancing it to say 12 btdc be of any benifit? My distributor is stuck solid and I have managed to move the timing to 12 degrees but I am afraid I am going to break something if I continue to beat on it. Is 12 degrees going to do anything for me?

 

Probably not enough for you to notice.

 

So what is the real optimum for advanced timing on the 460 in an F250? I wonder why ford sets them at 10 degrees vs something else.

 

One word on the 10°, emissions! You will need at least 5° before there would be a noticeable change and even the 6° will not be much change. I would suspect the differences would be a tad bit better bottom end and a fuel economy improvement will likely be the biggest change.

 

So what is the most you can advance it on a stock 460? I want to continue to burn regular grade gas. thanks

 

If the motor starts pinging the back the timing off, but I dont think you will get into trouble with 15° to 16° advance. The timing will not change the fuel requirement. Only a compression change would do that.