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Ignition Timing

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Old Oct 7, 2010 | 08:47 AM
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From: St. Johns
Ignition Timing

(88 F250 302 EFI)Currently my timing is set to 10 BTDC. The truck runs but while driving feels a little sluggish. Was thinking of going to 12 BTDC. Can anyone tell me the proper ingition timing thanks.
 
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Old Oct 7, 2010 | 09:09 AM
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Factory spec is 10 BTDC...........remove the SPOUT connector and bump it to the most you can before you start to spark knock. Try 12, you may be able to go as high as 16, just remember to reconnect the SPOUT after timing and before road test.
 
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Old Oct 7, 2010 | 10:13 AM
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I agree, Most of the time you won't hear it ping until you are driving it. So it's kinda like, bump the timing, drive it, adjust. It all depends on the vehicle but mine is at 15 1/2 degrees. But absolutely remember to pull the spout.
 
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Old Oct 7, 2010 | 10:23 AM
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Ya I pulled it when I timed it when I put the new distributor in. Do you have to shut the truck off after timing before reinstalling the spout?
 
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Old Oct 7, 2010 | 10:28 AM
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I did just to be safe...it is completing a circuit after all.
 
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Old Oct 7, 2010 | 11:02 AM
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Originally Posted by 88 250
(88 F250 302 EFI)Currently my timing is set to 10 BTDC. The truck runs but while driving feels a little sluggish. Was thinking of going to 12 BTDC. Can anyone tell me the proper ingition timing thanks.
In order to make a real difference on drivability you would have to chip the ecm. 10 btdc is just the initial timing and the ecm controls it after that. the Ecm always goes back to the stock settings. Its called adaptive strategy. Chipping a SD ECM is not a good idea. Just leave the ecm And timing stock and do some exhaust mods, Gearing mods,CAI.

BigLar
 
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Old Oct 7, 2010 | 11:07 AM
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I have headers and cherry bombs. It didn't used to drive like it is now till I replaced the distributor, so I figure it's has to be ignition timing.
 
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Old Oct 7, 2010 | 12:06 PM
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Originally Posted by larrylass
In order to make a real difference on drivability you would have to chip the ecm. 10 btdc is just the initial timing and the ecm controls it after that. the Ecm always goes back to the stock settings. Its called adaptive strategy. Chipping a SD ECM is not a good idea. Just leave the ecm And timing stock and do some exhaust mods, Gearing mods,CAI.

BigLar
Huh??? there is no CPS so base timing is what the ECM builds off of. You advance the timing it stays advanced. My merc has all kinds of "adaptive strategy" and that is a whole different animal. The ECM in that 88 is nowhere near that advanced.
 
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Old Oct 7, 2010 | 12:33 PM
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White 97 xlt
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Originally Posted by larrylass
In order to make a real difference on drivability you would have to chip the ecm. 10 btdc is just the initial timing and the ecm controls it after that. the Ecm always goes back to the stock settings. Its called adaptive strategy. Chipping a SD ECM is not a good idea. Just leave the ecm And timing stock and do some exhaust mods, Gearing mods,CAI.

BigLar

Might need to read fewer hotrod magazines and join the real world.....
 
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Old Oct 7, 2010 | 12:48 PM
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Originally Posted by White 97 xlt
Might need to read fewer hotrod magazines and join the real world.....
Good One! I Was Thinking The Same!
 
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Old Oct 7, 2010 | 03:37 PM
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Yeah, once you move the dist. thats it, base timing starts from that point.
 
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Old Oct 7, 2010 | 06:16 PM
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Most guys end up settling somewhere around 13°-14°. Play around a bit and see what works for you.

When I moved from 10° to 13°, I didn't notice and huge power gains, but I did notice the truck downshifting less and my mileage went from 12.5mpg to 15mpg. I checked this over 7 tanks of gas before the timing bump and 6 tanks after the bump.
 
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Old Oct 7, 2010 | 08:39 PM
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I'm looking for more power per say but only cause the truck feels a little sluggish at 10 BTDC.
 
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