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1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Slick Sixties Ford Truck

Timing marks

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Old Apr 7, 2026 | 07:06 PM
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OldFerd352
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Timing marks

I got the balancer on my 352 cleaned off last week and saw marks for only 30 degrees and TDC. There was another mark slightly behind TDC that I thought might have been 5 degrees or -5 degrees, although there was an F along with the 5 so I was unsure on wether or not it was a timing mark or part no. Is the 5 supposed to be a timing mark? And what degree of timing is the TDC mark close to? It seemed to me that it would be around the 10 degree position. I’ll add pics of my balancer later.
 
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Old Apr 7, 2026 | 08:56 PM
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TDC = Top Dead Center = 0 degrees.
 
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Old Apr 7, 2026 | 10:04 PM
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Originally Posted by TA455HO
TDC = Top Dead Center = 0 degrees.
Thanks! I’m going to get around to setting the timing this week. I ended up discovering that my rough running issue was due to the previous owner incorrectly installing the distributor. I reinstalled it correctly and had it running pretty good after setting it by ear, but I would like to have it set to spec. I had a lot harder time that I thought I would trying to find info on the balancer marks.
 
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Old Apr 8, 2026 | 10:00 PM
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I was taught by a motor pool sergeant, to advance the timing until it kicks back on the starter. Then back it off a smidgen. A good place to start.
So, me, I just disregard the "specs" and tune my engines to the fuel I am burning, and the compression / cam the engine is set up with.

I'm gonna take a guess here that once you get your engine advanced where it won't Ping under hard accel, you'll have 10 to 15 degrees advance at idle.

My '77 Jeep 304 V-8 specs 5-degrees advance at idle, but _ _ _ the engine likes 20-degrees advance for best results (20 per timing light ).
Good luck with the tune.
 
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Old Apr 9, 2026 | 02:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Greaser007
I was taught by a motor pool sergeant, to advance the timing until it kicks back on the starter. Then back it off a smidgen. A good place to start.
So, me, I just disregard the "specs" and tune my engines to the fuel I am burning, and the compression / cam the engine is set up with.

I'm gonna take a guess here that once you get your engine advanced where it won't Ping under hard accel, you'll have 10 to 15 degrees advance at idle.

My '77 Jeep 304 V-8 specs 5-degrees advance at idle, but _ _ _ the engine likes 20-degrees advance for best results (20 per timing light ).
Good luck with the tune.
Thanks! It’s pretty cool to know the old school tricks like you mentioned. I’m planning on starting at 12 degrees initial timing and seeing how that does.
 
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