Need help on timing on a 390FE
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 649
Likes: 0
Need help on timing on a 390FE
I have cylinder #1 up and the rotor is facing that cylinder. Is this correct? By the rotor facing #1, I mean the rotor (metal tip) is facing that direction. I can adjust the rest when I get it fired up by ear. I have yet to ever use a gun.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
When your #1 cylinder is at tdc the rotor should be at the exact spot the #1 spark plug wire is at on your distributor cap. If you have this "perfect" your timing is at 0 deg adv/ret. What do you mean when your rotor is facing the direction of the #1 cylinder?
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,760
Likes: 8
From: Gadsden Purchase
The base controls when it'll fire and holds the cap is all. ;)
If...
He's got the right(!) #1 TDC on the crank then the rotor will point "straight"
to the passenger side.
Alvin in AZ
Last edited by Alvin in AZ; Jan 6, 2009 at 03:04 PM. Reason: added a T to go. ;)
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 649
Likes: 0
The 390 has the rotor toward cyl #1 and back towards cyl 8
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
Okay let me be a little more specific. I was referring to a tooth off on the crank, I know the shaft is connected to the dist gear that is connected to the rotor. If you pull out a dizzy you can put it in any direction you want as long as at tdc your rotor is hitting the #1 spot on the cap. I for instance moved my dist one tooth so that my vacuum advance is not pointing straight forward, instead it is pointing more towards the battery, this means my rotor will not be in the same position as yours or somebody elses. All I am saying is with your engine at tdc, to put the motor in time your rotor must be at the contact point on the cap where your #1 cylinder plug wire is connected.
Trending Topics
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,760
Likes: 8
From: Gadsden Purchase
Okay let me be a little more specific. I was referring to a tooth off on the
crank, I know the shaft is connected to the dist gear that is connected to the
rotor. If you pull out a dizzy you can put it in any direction you want as long
as at tdc your rotor is hitting the #1 spot on the cap. I for instance moved
my dist one tooth so that my vacuum advance is not pointing straight forward,
instead it is pointing more towards the battery, this means my rotor will not
be in the same position as yours or somebody elses. All I am saying is with
your engine at tdc, to put the motor in time your rotor must be at the contact
point on the cap where your #1 cylinder plug wire is connected.
crank, I know the shaft is connected to the dist gear that is connected to the
rotor. If you pull out a dizzy you can put it in any direction you want as long
as at tdc your rotor is hitting the #1 spot on the cap. I for instance moved
my dist one tooth so that my vacuum advance is not pointing straight forward,
instead it is pointing more towards the battery, this means my rotor will not
be in the same position as yours or somebody elses. All I am saying is with
your engine at tdc, to put the motor in time your rotor must be at the contact
point on the cap where your #1 cylinder plug wire is connected.
Alvin in AZ
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Fords to Drive Before You Die
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / Worst Features Of The 2025+ Ford Expedition
Brett Foote
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition
Joe Kucinski
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
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
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 649
Likes: 0
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,760
Likes: 8
From: Gadsden Purchase
Are you still having trouble?
Did you see old76er's post?
Do you know what he means?
Like Zak sez~ what part of the world the rotor points at means nothing
-if- everything else that matters ain't lined up to go with it.
Alvin in AZ
Certified Thread Hijacker
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 14,442
Likes: 60
For what it's worth most distributor caps have #1 cylinder marked and then 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 after that.
You can have the rotor oriented the way you have it and adjust the spark plug wires accordingly, but why?
Also take into account the rotational play you have to adjust the timing and not get the vacuum advance jammed against the pump bypass.
Josh
You can have the rotor oriented the way you have it and adjust the spark plug wires accordingly, but why?
Also take into account the rotational play you have to adjust the timing and not get the vacuum advance jammed against the pump bypass.
Josh
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 649
Likes: 0
For what it's worth most distributor caps have #1 cylinder marked and then 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 after that.
You can have the rotor oriented the way you have it and adjust the spark plug wires accordingly, but why?
Also take into account the rotational play you have to adjust the timing and not get the vacuum advance jammed against the pump bypass.
Josh
You can have the rotor oriented the way you have it and adjust the spark plug wires accordingly, but why?
Also take into account the rotational play you have to adjust the timing and not get the vacuum advance jammed against the pump bypass.
Josh