351 timing help
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Joined: Feb 2002
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351 timing help
I have a 351w that the timing pointer is missing. I was going to make one . If I rotate engine to TDC on #1 cylinder on compression stroke and I align my new pointer to TDC on balancer will this be accurate. It is a 74 engine does the pointer go on passanger side. Thanks for you help.
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Where they take the census by counting the appliances on the front porch and multiplying by five
351 timing help
Hi Donk,
Seems like it should work. Probably won't be dead accurate but should get you in the ballpark. Still have some fine adjusting to do with the distributor.Good luck
Chuck
Seems like it should work. Probably won't be dead accurate but should get you in the ballpark. Still have some fine adjusting to do with the distributor.Good luck
Chuck
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
351 timing help
If you want it dead on, this is the way the professional guys do it. They have a piston stop they screw into #1 cylinder sparkplug hole. I am trying to think what you could make this out of-maybe a wooden dowel rod or something. Anyway, with the stop installed turn the engine by hand in one direction till the piston hits the dowel rod. Mark the position on the damper that your homemade pointer is pointing to. The turn the engine the other way till the piston hits the dowel rod again. Mark this position too. Now, top dead center will be exactly between the two marks on the damper you made. After this, you can measure the diameter of your damper, and then order a timing tape that you can stick on the outside of the damper to give you all your timing marks.
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Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Durham
351 timing help
You can buy the piston stop from Summit Racing for about 5 bucks...and it doesn't matter where you put the pointer, it's all relative...set the marks by splitting the difference on the last post and you'll be dead on TDC.
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
351 timing help
Here's what I did today to finetune the timing on my Low-RPM bruiser street machine: Loosen the 1/2" distributor hold down bolt, but leave it snug so you can rotate it if you need to. Start the engine, and rotate back and forth until you find the best timing. If you have the same thing happen to you as did me, then your adjustment may take you into the radiator hose. In this instance, unplug all wires into the cap, and Chinese fire-drill them to the next post, clockwise (if your timing is retarded, CCW if overadvanced). Now you've gained 22.5 degrees of crank timing to play with. Advance it until you get the most idle speed, this is your best adjustment. Bolt it down, and love that Ford.
By the way, this is my 100th post, I guess this makes me a senior user. do I get free coffee at Wal-Mart now?
John F. Daly III
The (senior) TorqueKing
By the way, this is my 100th post, I guess this makes me a senior user. do I get free coffee at Wal-Mart now?
John F. Daly III
The (senior) TorqueKing
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