• Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech

351C timing problem?

  • Thread starter Thread starter automart
  • Start date Start date Feb 5, 2007

automart

Member
Jan 26, 2006
104
0
16
Nashville, TN
Feb 5, 2007
#1
  • Feb 5, 2007
  • #1
I have a 1970 351C Mach I that I am almost to the end of a 3 year restoration. The car will not start unless I move the timing up to where it is too high, if I drive it, it starts to ping so I retard the timing to where it suppose to be. After it cools off (say the next day) I have to do the same thing to get it started. I have the MSD distributer just installed out of the box. The car is running extremely rich. I have a newer Holley 780 and a stock 4V intake with a small cam, 4 speed transmission.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Ronnie
 
F

ForceFed70

That's why they call it "dope"
Founding Member
Dec 6, 1999
4,818
1
69
BC Canada
Feb 5, 2007
#2
  • Feb 5, 2007
  • #2
Same problem when hot and cold? You say it's running rich, have you tried adjusting the idle mixture?
 
B

bnickel

Founding Member
Aug 21, 2002
5,640
3
77
lubbock, texas
Feb 5, 2007
#3
  • Feb 5, 2007
  • #3
need to recurve the dizzy so you can get the correct total timing with less initial timing. you may also want to re jet the carb at the same time as well, the riche condition of the carb may be requiring more timing to get the fuel mixture burned, however it won't be so bad as you describe. either way the dizzy needs to be recurved
 

automart

Member
Jan 26, 2006
104
0
16
Nashville, TN
Feb 5, 2007
#4
  • Feb 5, 2007
  • #4
I have no idea what the "dizzy" is. The distributer was suppose to be a drop in, I don't remember reading anything

The car will not start cold without advancing the timing. It hits like it's going to start but only when I advance the timing will it start.

I have a couple of issues, I have tried the air/fuel adjusting but it doesn't effect the motor too much. I may have a vaccuum leak at the rear of the intake (there is oil around the oil sending unit, but it is not the unit leaking) I have a Torker purchased that should be here any day now.
 

ratio411

Founding Member
Apr 21, 2002
3,870
73
109
Pensacola FL
Feb 5, 2007
#5
  • Feb 5, 2007
  • #5
Did you rebuild the engine?
 

automart

Member
Jan 26, 2006
104
0
16
Nashville, TN
Feb 5, 2007
#6
  • Feb 5, 2007
  • #6
Yes, the motor is newly reubuilt along with everything else. Getting close to the end and tired of spending $$$$$
 
D

D.Hearne

New Member
Sep 29, 2000
11,730
6
0
south louisiana
Feb 5, 2007
#7
  • Feb 5, 2007
  • #7
Your oil leak at the rear isn't a vacuum leak. And as for the pinging problem, are you trying to run this 11 to 1 motor on 87 octane fuel and a small cam ? That would explain a lot there, if so. This motor needs 93 octane premium at a minimum, and likely more octane to advance the timing where it'll put out and quit pinging.
 
F

ForceFed70

That's why they call it "dope"
Founding Member
Dec 6, 1999
4,818
1
69
BC Canada
Feb 5, 2007
#8
  • Feb 5, 2007
  • #8
These engines are really forgiving when it comes to timing at idle. You should be able to get it to start with anywhere from 0* to 20* initial timing.

I don't think the problem is the actual timing. I think that adjusting the timing makes the symptoms better.

What are your plugs gapped to? Have you tried bypassing the MSD?
 

automart

Member
Jan 26, 2006
104
0
16
Nashville, TN
Feb 5, 2007
#9
  • Feb 5, 2007
  • #9
no, I'm doing the 93 with octane booster. Your right, 11:1 compression. Sounded great before I had the exhause put on. It still sounds good, I just prefer the straight headers, too bad it's against the law. I've done the magnaflow with the X pipe.
 

automart

Member
Jan 26, 2006
104
0
16
Nashville, TN
Feb 5, 2007
#10
  • Feb 5, 2007
  • #10
Bottlefed,

I have installed 3 sets of plugs gapped at 32? and the car is not ready for the road yet. I had the carb rebuilt which seemed to help (it set for 3 years)
I still don't know what the "Dizzy" is. I have the MSD dist and regular coil.
 
B

bnickel

Founding Member
Aug 21, 2002
5,640
3
77
lubbock, texas
Feb 6, 2007
#11
  • Feb 6, 2007
  • #11
automart said:
Bottlefed,

I have installed 3 sets of plugs gapped at 32? and the car is not ready for the road yet. I had the carb rebuilt which seemed to help (it set for 3 years)
I still don't know what the "Dizzy" is. I have the MSD dist and regular coil.
Click to expand...


dizzy is short for distributor. very common around here i'm surprised you didn't know what it is but also apologize that my use of the word confused you.
 

automart

Member
Jan 26, 2006
104
0
16
Nashville, TN
Feb 6, 2007
#12
  • Feb 6, 2007
  • #12
THanks, I know now! So I assume the way to go is to advance the distributer, I hope I can find the instructions.
 

BIGJUNE

New Member
Mar 4, 2004
17
0
0
LOS BANOS,CA
Feb 7, 2007
#13
  • Feb 7, 2007
  • #13
I think you need to redrop ur distributor it sounds like ur a tooth or two off.
 

automart

Member
Jan 26, 2006
104
0
16
Nashville, TN
Feb 7, 2007
#14
  • Feb 7, 2007
  • #14
I received my intake yesterday so I'll do that and see what happens.

Does anyone know approx what size jets on a 780 to use for a 351 C, stock with a medium cam?

Thanks in advance!
 
D

D.Hearne

New Member
Sep 29, 2000
11,730
6
0
south louisiana
Feb 7, 2007
#15
  • Feb 7, 2007
  • #15
You've likely got a list #3310 carb? Not a 780 but a 750. Primary jets are 72's. If that's what's there, go with them. If your car's not driveable, leave that till you can. You cannot accurately jet the carb idling in the driveway.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
Inheriting (and likely restoration of) a 1965 Mustang
  • miniwheats235
  • Feb 17, 2026
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
2
Views
387
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Feb 19, 2026
Realmongo
5
Hello fellow Mustang fanatics.
  • 580HP*428Cj
  • Apr 2, 2026
  • The Welcome Wagon
Replies
4
Views
331
The Welcome Wagon Aug 18, 2026
josep4
A
need help and advise
  • amps1956
  • Oct 14, 2025
  • Other Auto Tech
Replies
16
Views
882
Other Auto Tech Oct 21, 2025
Mcmahst
D
96 get convertible-sell or part out?
  • DTCstang
  • May 17, 2026
  • What is it Worth?!?!?
Replies
5
Views
279
What is it Worth?!?!? May 18, 2026
nickyb
Forced Induction Total Timing under boost
  • Dontknowchit
  • Aug 27, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
401
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Aug 28, 2025
Dontknowchit
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?