• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

How much total timing do you guys run?

  • Thread starter Thread starter maverick0716
  • Start date Start date Jul 3, 2005

maverick0716

Founding Member
Jan 12, 2002
3,924
0
56
Chilliwack, BC, Canada
Jul 3, 2005
#1
  • Jul 3, 2005
  • #1
I checked my total timing today and it seems a little high. My base timing is 14* and my total timing is 42*. Shouldn't it be around 38* or am I wrong? I'm running the H/C/I combo in my signature.....so about 9.4:1 compression and I'm running 92 octane. Thanks.
 

hllon4whls

BANNED
Founding Member
Jan 17, 2002
2,567
0
46
Covington
Jul 3, 2005
#2
  • Jul 3, 2005
  • #2
Last time I checked, I run around 36 total timing. I've been told that 32-36 is optimal in a racing type engine with no octane limits. You'll have to time your car to see what works best for your engine.
 

DMAN302

My mom says thanks for the pearl necklace.
Nov 8, 2003
2,120
2
59
windsor, Canada
Jul 3, 2005
#3
  • Jul 3, 2005
  • #3
Maverick 36 total is likely optimal for your setup...I like 14* initial with premium..especially with this summers ass kicking heat wave. Your 42 seems a little to high for my liking.
 

9250stang

Founding Member
Jul 15, 2002
927
1
18
Kentucky
Jul 3, 2005
#4
  • Jul 3, 2005
  • #4
DMAN302 said:
Your 42 seems a little to high for my liking.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I also run 36* total.
 

maverick0716

Founding Member
Jan 12, 2002
3,924
0
56
Chilliwack, BC, Canada
Jul 3, 2005
#5
  • Jul 3, 2005
  • #5
Thanks for the replies. Do you think running 42* for the time being will hurt anything? I don't know if I can adjust the stock distributor like that... I'd like to get an aftermarket distributor like an MSD, Crane, Accel, etc. fairly soon.
 

DMAN302

My mom says thanks for the pearl necklace.
Nov 8, 2003
2,120
2
59
windsor, Canada
Jul 4, 2005
#6
  • Jul 4, 2005
  • #6
This may sound stupid..likely only hurting if it SOUNDS like it's hurting. Your fear is detonation, and if you can't hear it, and the power is there then it will be OK. However IMO I'd like to see a little lower number. Now on a better topic...how is that combo working for you, I remember you and I talkin over these parts back some time ago.
 

Foxfan88

My Grandpa has great wood.
Sep 13, 2004
2,487
4
0
Miami, Ok
Jul 4, 2005
#7
  • Jul 4, 2005
  • #7
This might sound dumb but whats Total Timing?
 

hllon4whls

BANNED
Founding Member
Jan 17, 2002
2,567
0
46
Covington
Jul 4, 2005
#8
  • Jul 4, 2005
  • #8
Foxfan88 said:
This might sound dumb but whats Total Timing?
Click to expand...

Total timing is base timing plus advance. This is read with a dialback timing usually at about 3600 rpm. The computer and dizzy will add the timing through the advance mechanisims.
 

hllon4whls

BANNED
Founding Member
Jan 17, 2002
2,567
0
46
Covington
Jul 4, 2005
#9
  • Jul 4, 2005
  • #9
Mav, I think that your total timing is hurting your power. As long as you arent overheating or detonating, then you are good as far as injuring the motor. My timing was set that high when I first ran my car. Setting it back to a sane level helped the car pick up all the way around (race track).

You dont need the cost of and MSD dizzy, just set your springs and weights to advance the way that you need it to.

If you are set on an MSD, that is fine, then get it.
 

Foxfan88

My Grandpa has great wood.
Sep 13, 2004
2,487
4
0
Miami, Ok
Jul 4, 2005
#10
  • Jul 4, 2005
  • #10
hllon4whls said:
Total timing is base timing plus advance. This is read with a dialback timing usually at about 3600 rpm. The computer and dizzy will add the timing through the advance mechanisims.
Click to expand...


I dont get it.....
 

maverick0716

Founding Member
Jan 12, 2002
3,924
0
56
Chilliwack, BC, Canada
Jul 4, 2005
#11
  • Jul 4, 2005
  • #11
hllon4whls said:
Mav, I think that your total timing is hurting your power. As long as you arent overheating or detonating, then you are good as far as injuring the motor. My timing was set that high when I first ran my car. Setting it back to a sane level helped the car pick up all the way around (race track).

You dont need the cost of and MSD dizzy, just set your springs and weights to advance the way that you need it to.

If you are set on an MSD, that is fine, then get it.
Click to expand...
How much of a difference did you see when you raced it?
 

maverick0716

Founding Member
Jan 12, 2002
3,924
0
56
Chilliwack, BC, Canada
Jul 4, 2005
#12
  • Jul 4, 2005
  • #12
DMAN302 said:
This may sound stupid..likely only hurting if it SOUNDS like it's hurting. Your fear is detonation, and if you can't hear it, and the power is there then it will be OK. However IMO I'd like to see a little lower number. Now on a better topic...how is that combo working for you, I remember you and I talkin over these parts back some time ago.
Click to expand...

It's working out really well actually. Run's really cool and there's a ton of power. I can't really tell how fast it is yet, of course, but it feels way faster than my old stock head/cam engine felt.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Forced Induction Total Timing under boost
  • Dontknowchit
  • Aug 27, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
309
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Aug 28, 2025
Dontknowchit
J
can you use the heads off a H O 302 to put on a regular 302 engine
  • Jan H
  • Feb 25, 2026
  • Other Auto Tech
Replies
6
Views
302
Other Auto Tech May 17, 2026
nickyb
8
Engine Rough idle and aggressive sputtering when accelerating
  • 88vertible
  • Aug 13, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
4
Views
1K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Dec 13, 2025
Jarhead67
J
S
Engine Stalls when downshifting/coasting
  • Scott_S
  • Nov 5, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
11
Views
666
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Nov 6, 2025
Mustang5L5
S
Fox '87 GT can't get to stay running
  • spilly
  • Mar 29, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
27
Views
652
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jun 20, 2026
spilly
S
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang 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?