Timing help...

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Apr 17, 2010 | 12:15 PM

Rusty_Old_F250

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Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Aug 2009

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From: Western Washington

Timing help...

I was reading in another thread that if you have the timing set wrong it can cause pre ignition, and make the engine sound like a diesel when its under load? So, I need to adjust my timing, but which way should I turn the distributor to fix it? Clockwise or counterclockwise? I've done plenty of stuff with this engine (its bone sock, by-the-way) but the ignition system, and especially the timing, has always left me in wonder. Thanks!

Sam

Apr 17, 2010 | 01:40 PM

Rockstone

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From: Sin City

What is your timing set at now? Best to get it to the factory setting, and then fine tune from there.

Apr 17, 2010 | 02:26 PM

Rusty_Old_F250

Thread Starter

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Aug 2009

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From: Western Washington

Well, uhh... Its been set by ear, (don't have a timing light) so I'm not sure. The odd thing is, last night I put a new fuel pump on and changed the oil, and now it sounds great (a lot more power too). I never touched the timing.

Sam

Apr 17, 2010 | 02:48 PM

Rockstone

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From: Sin City

Sounds like the fuel pump was your problem. To do a good tune up on your engine you should have the basics of a timing light, vacuum gauge and tachometer. Timing by ear is not good.

Apr 17, 2010 | 09:27 PM

Hyperpasta

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I totally agree with Rockstone that a good dwell meter and timing light is a must......But if you in the sticks and the hold down bolt comes loose or your ballparking the timing on a first time start up on a new motor.....

A quick way that worked in a pinch was to run up the motor to about 1200-1500 RPM then crank the distributor and see if the RPM gains or falls off while turning the distributor. If it gains RPM continue to move the distributor until the engine falls off and starts to loose RPM, then back it off until the motor begins to run smoothly again. From this point back the distributor off a tad more and tighten the hold down clamp. Take the car on the road for a test spin. If she runs good your golden until you can get a timing light on the motor. If the motor pings go back and crank some more timing out of the distributor until the pinging stops under load or you get a timing light on the crank.....

This is just a Bandaid to get you to someone with the proper tools to get the max from your FE mill. In the old days this was how we fine tuned at the strip....