Can anyone tell me what the Points Gap, Spark Plug Gap, and Timing should be on a 1978 330 FT?

Thanks,

 

.030" gap for the plugs, .017" for the points, and 24-30 degrees of dwell.

Initial timing, 6 degrees for non-California, 4 degrees for California. 600RPM at hot idle.

While you're doing this, make sure there's no play in the upper distributor bushing or you'll be chasing a misfire after changing the points.

Turn the engine over until the points are closed (points on the flat-part of the distributor cam) push and pull the rotor back and forth towards the points, and see if the gap opens and closes. If it does, it'll cause all sorts of running issues.

Without getting a rebuilt distributor, it might be best to get a Pertronix kit and get rid of the points.

 

Do you know which petronix kit works on this engine ? Thanks Ed

 

Pretty much all one size for Ford V8s:

https://pertronix.com/electronic-ign...make=Ford#auto

 

Why were they using points in 1978?

 

Probably reliability in a medium-duty truck, not to mention no need to meet certain emissions if it was over a certain weight rating. This thread is from 2010, and I pulled that points gap right from a Motor's Truck Repair manual published in 1979, for a 1978 330. Wouldn't be the first time something was wrong in an aftermarket repair manual, but they did list points for 1978

 

Thanks Man !

 

You know what? I went back and checked that book I cited - and there are NO points specs for 1974 FE nor FT. And 75-79 say "no longer available". '74 is when they went Duraspark for the most part - although my '74 highboy did have points stock, but it was a high GVWR.

So your question was entirely valid - why did a 330 FT have points in 1978? Maybe the engine had been transplanted - never heard from the OP ever again either.

 

Yeah, it didn't sound correct to me, but I don't really know.