83 Ford 351W timing

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Jun 22, 1999 | 09:31 PM

drut

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83 Ford 351W timing

I just recently put a rebuilt 351W (5.8L) in my truck. It runs as if the timing is severly retarded. Back Fire under load, fights to just idel, etc. I confirmed the ignition timing - it runs the same at all advancment settings.

I suspect that the guy who built this engine set the timing chain off by one tooth or that there is a special timing chain for this truck (ie. clocked or- 4 degrees).

The truck has a Duraspark III ignition system on it and for all tense and purposes, everything is new on the ignition system.

Wanted to ask before I tear the timing chain cover back off.

Thanks, D

Jun 23, 1999 | 07:39 AM

Deen Hylton

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83 Ford 351W timing

A distributor one tooth off will do the same thing and would be a much easier mistake to make than having the timing chain one tooth off.
When the engine was rebuilt was a new cam put in? A cam for a 302 fits but I think the firing order is different between a 302 and a 351W. 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 for the 302 and
1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 for the 351W.

Jun 23, 1999 | 08:09 AM

slik

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From: saramento usa

83 Ford 351W timing

What is your timing set at? Should be around 10 BTC. Is your distributor set correctly when at TDC?

Steve

Jun 28, 1999 | 08:43 PM

Dustin Divinia

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83 Ford 351W timing

Timing is about 16 degrees BTC according to the timing light. I can rotate the distribitor by removing the lock bolt but the timing mever moves from 16 degrees. At least untill I kill the engine because I am beyond the limit of the ignition controller.

Keep in mind this system uses a madnetic pick up on the crank shaft, not a stator or point arangement in the distribitor. The distribitor is a gutless wonder. The rotor bug has two pick ups set 120 degrees off from each other.

Any help would be appreciated.

D

Jun 28, 1999 | 08:46 PM

Dustin Divinia

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83 Ford 351W timing

Thanks for the responce.

I did confirm that the timing chain is ok. The cam i think is ok too. If the firing order was that far off I don't think it would even run. It does run, just no power. Back fires severly under load and eventually dies.

I spent four days looking for the problem and finially loaded it up on a trailer and to it to the Ford house. i'll post what they find.

D

Jun 29, 1999 | 02:26 PM

Phillip Guidry

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83 Ford 351W timing

Boy can I remember when my customers used to try to change their own cap & rotor,sometimes wires,and would always get into trouble.The thing that threw them off was the 2 sets of firing orders printed right on top the cap,1 for 320,351m-400 & another for 351W.You have got to plug the wires to the cylinders that are indicated on the top of the cap,not the order out of a book. Also,you have got to align the rotor position to the body of the dist.,thus,when you drop your dist.in the block,you HAVE to be on the right tooth with this system,and on #1 compression {some engines are at #6 comp. when the timing gears are dot-to-dot}.I've got great repair manual pages I can fax you if you provide a fax #.

Phillip