Notices
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

Timing advance?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 30, 2009 | 12:19 AM
  #1  
biguglylongbed's Avatar
biguglylongbed
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
Timing advance?

I have a question thats been bothering me all night. I heard about stepping the timing forward on a 5.0/302 to improve power and fuel economy. What is the process behind this? I'm new to the engine side of things.
 
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2009 | 12:46 AM
  #2  
DBGrif91's Avatar
DBGrif91
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,538
Likes: 54
From: Des Moines
I believe the timing can be advanced 10-12 degrees, but what changes you will see in power and fuel mileage I don't know. I know basic procedures but I'm not sure on the exact process for a '94, so someone more knowledgeable than I should advise you on that.
 
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2009 | 01:01 AM
  #3  
andym's Avatar
andym
Post Fiend
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
You can't gain anything for free. Everything costs something. If you advance the timing, you may get a little bit more power, but your engine will have a higher tendency to pre-ignite, aka ping. Pre-ignition is bad and will lead to early engine failure. Sometimes you can hear pinging and sometimes you can't. So you might gain a little more power, but you risk severe damage to your engine.

Also, some engines will react differently than others. Some will get 3 or 4 degrees of advance, more power, and no pinging. Others you can't get a degree out of. I tried it on a truck I had and I couldn't get any more than an extra degree out of it before I could hear it start pinging.
 
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2009 | 10:29 AM
  #4  
l67cooled's Avatar
l67cooled
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 539
Likes: 0
Try this link. This is more than just a timing bump but it will be well worth the added power and the gas mileage gained will pay the parts off in now time.

FullSizeBronco.com - 78 - 96 Ford Bronco offroad club, forums, tech, installs

I did this and bumped my timing up to 12.5 with no knock, using 87 octane fuel.
 
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2009 | 01:36 PM
  #5  
Old93junk's Avatar
Old93junk
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23,849
Likes: 20
From: McKenzie River
12 deg. should be a good number, any higher you risk pre-ignition............not a good thing over the long haul.
 
Reply
Old Dec 1, 2009 | 02:32 PM
  #6  
WhiteZombie's Avatar
WhiteZombie
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
you should look into other power addders to gain power, cam , intake, etc. and run a higher octane fuel than look into advancing the timing and pre igniting will not be a problem
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
riverguideguy
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
8
May 13, 2013 09:33 PM
WhiskeyRider
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
8
Jan 31, 2010 08:38 PM
Feeop
FE & FT Big Block V8 (332, 352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, 428)
4
Aug 6, 2004 01:07 PM
Shannonm1
General Automotive Discussion
3
Jun 4, 2002 09:21 PM
berry66
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Apr 29, 2000 08:30 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:13 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE