Timing woes
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,072
Likes: 3
From: tulsa
Before I replaced my dizzy with an msd I just left the vaccume advance off, could not get the motor to stop pingging with it hooked up. But I ran electronic ignition, are you running points or breakerless ignition. I belive that the advance should be connected to manifold vaccume but if I'm wrong someone will let you know.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,288
Likes: 1
From: redding U.S.A.
here is a quick way to see whether the vacuum line is plugged into intake vacuum or venturi vacuum (the carb can have ports for both):
Unplug the line at the vacuum advance diaphragm while the engine is idling. Put your finger over the line. If you feel a strong suction with the engine at idle, that is manifold vacuum. If you feel no or very weak suction, that is venturi vacuum.
Venturi vacuum INCREASES when engine load increases.
Manifold vacuum DECREASES when engine load increases.
Here is my suggested coarse of action:
1) unplug and cap the vacuum line
2) set base timing to 10*
3) plug in the vacuum line and check the timing. if it goes up above 17*, leave it plugged in. If it doesn't move much, try switching to a different vacuum source.
Let me know what kind of vacuum you are plugged into and how much the vaccum advance increases the timing at idle when the vacuum line is plugged in.
A proper working vacuum advance should:
-Allow for low base timing for easy cranking and cold engine start.
-Increase low to mid rpm throttle response
-Increase fuel mileage and better emissions.
Unplug the line at the vacuum advance diaphragm while the engine is idling. Put your finger over the line. If you feel a strong suction with the engine at idle, that is manifold vacuum. If you feel no or very weak suction, that is venturi vacuum.
Venturi vacuum INCREASES when engine load increases.
Manifold vacuum DECREASES when engine load increases.
Here is my suggested coarse of action:
1) unplug and cap the vacuum line
2) set base timing to 10*
3) plug in the vacuum line and check the timing. if it goes up above 17*, leave it plugged in. If it doesn't move much, try switching to a different vacuum source.
Let me know what kind of vacuum you are plugged into and how much the vaccum advance increases the timing at idle when the vacuum line is plugged in.
A proper working vacuum advance should:
-Allow for low base timing for easy cranking and cold engine start.
-Increase low to mid rpm throttle response
-Increase fuel mileage and better emissions.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,928
Likes: 276
Throw your point dist in the trash and get a re-curved Duraspark dist. from Scotty Johnston in Tacoma ( Re-In-"Car"-nation High Performance and Automotive Repair/index )
Also, remember that your 1973 timing set is retarding the camshaft several degrees. A pre-'72 timing chain set is what you want to get your camshaft back where it belongs.
Call Scotty and he will hook you up with a distributor that will work with your specific combination. He is VERY knowledgable on Ford 460's.
Also, remember that your 1973 timing set is retarding the camshaft several degrees. A pre-'72 timing chain set is what you want to get your camshaft back where it belongs.
Call Scotty and he will hook you up with a distributor that will work with your specific combination. He is VERY knowledgable on Ford 460's.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
I'd throw a Pertronix in a stocker before paying any kind of big bucks for a dizzy. To each their own, but I'm not spending that kinda money on a dizzy.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 6
From: UPSTATE NY
yeah its a badass distributor. i just wouldnt recommend the wires to anybody. they sell special wires that are made by a different company and fall apart and are garbage. i'm gonna get some taylormade ones and then send back these piece of crap livewires to them and tell them i would appreciate a replacement set, and if they say no then they can keep their garbage because garbage doesnt belong in my truck, and i will tell everyone else they are garbage as well.