More timing feels good

[nidyanazo]

So I went to check my timing yesterday. I felt that the car was acting a little sluggish, and found the timing to be slightly retarded. So I bumped it to 14.5*BTDC. Put some 91 in the tank and let 'er rip. It blows the tires off in 1st. A power-shift to 2nd makes the back jump around, but she stays gripping. Crap now the clutch feels like it's not holding as strong. One thing I was wondering, You guys time the car by looking at the pointed "arrow" and alligning the balancer, or through the little hole? Do you know what I mean? When you look down and aim the timing gun, what to you allign the balancer against? I'm using the little pointy shaft....More towards the top of the motor...Well timing sure makes things more fun! I set it a long time ago, the dist. bolt must have loosened a bit over time and lost the setting....

 

[vristang]

So I went to check my timing yesterday. I felt that the car was acting a little sluggish, and found the timing to be slightly retarded. So I bumped it to 14.5*BTDC. Put some 91 in the tank and let 'er rip. It blows the tires off in 1st. A power-shift to 2nd makes the back jump around, but she stays gripping. Crap now the clutch feels like it's not holding as strong. One thing I was wondering, You guys time the car by looking at the pointed "arrow" and alligning the balancer, or through the little hole? Do you know what I mean? When you look down and aim the timing gun, what to you allign the balancer against? I'm using the little pointy shaft....More towards the top of the motor...Well timing sure makes things more fun! I set it a long time ago, the dist. bolt must have loosened a bit over time and lost the setting....

Timing needs can change over time, but it shouldn't be a whole lot of change.

I'm pretty sure you are supposed to use the flat pointer, and not the peep hole. Can't say for sure though, I never used the number to set timing.

 

[Jason 302]

I'm pretty sure you need to use the pointer to set your timing. At least that's the way I set mine up.

 

[Paul Perreca]

so changing the timing was a world of difference?? good to know
Paul Perreca

 

[89lxsport50]

I use the pointer, and yes timing makes a world of difference. I run 16* on mine with no pinging or overheating. Of course I am running 92 octane too. Make sure you pull the spout when you make your adjustments, and replace it afterward.

 

[HISSIN50]

Pointer edge viewer here (not the hole).

 

[2002BLGT]

Ive ran as much as 19 , total timing was at 38 , had alot better pull down low , but I spray the car so I pulled it back to 13 , but I believe I lost compression with the Y303 heads I put on the car so I dont advise this for everyone

 

[DMAN302]

so changing the timing was a world of difference?? good to know
Paul Perreca

World of difference because his was actually retarded...so the change was quite significant..hell even going to stock would be considerate. Jumping from 10-14 MAY yield some change down low, I would not expect anything to dramatic. I run 14 with my combination...I'd love to push it a bit more, but with temps as they are I just don't see it as an option.

 

[HISSIN50]

Derek and I are of the same mind. I dont even play the advancing game much anymore. I never really felt anything huge (as I have gotten older, I have separated my SOTP meter from my excitedly-tainted expectations).

I would note that one can go too far and start to see diminished power but not be at the threshold of detonation. No need to run on the ragged edge of detonation IMHO.

Good luck.

 

[deadlast]

i still havent bumped my timing because im still not 100% clear on what to do. 1. i dont know where to aim the timing light
2. i dont know where the timing marks are
3. why do you need a timing light?

 

[HISSIN50]

Here is some info on setting timing. Also, Tim (Stang 22) has a real nice article on his site. I just tried to link to it, but I am having issues doing so.

Good luck.

 

[vristang]

Here is some info on setting timing. Also, Tim (Stang 22) has a real nice article on his site. I just tried to link to it, but I am having issues doing so.

Good luck.

Good Link HISSIN50

I still have a question though, for anyone who can answer. Why use a timing light. The best I can see is that it gives you a solid point of reference for advancing and retarding. But in the end what you are going to do is advance until the motor complains then back off a little, no matter what the numbers say. Also, I think that reason every mustang out there has such a wide array of timing settings (some 12 some 18) is the variability in the production of the timing pointer. For example the last time I pulled the motor the nut seized on the pointer. End result was the destruction of the the pointer.

Can anyone justify why I should invest in fabricating or purchasing a new pointer, when I will most likely get the same results with some paitience?

Sorry for hi-jacking the thread, but at least it is related.

 

[HISSIN50]

Good Link HISSIN50

I still have a question though, for anyone who can answer. Why use a timing light. The best I can see is that it gives you a solid point of reference for advancing and retarding. But in the end what you are going to do is advance until the motor complains then back off a little, no matter what the numbers say. Also, I think that reason every mustang out there has such a wide array of timing settings (some 12 some 18) is the variability in the production of the timing pointer. For example the last time I pulled the motor the nut seized on the pointer. End result was the destruction of the the pointer.

Can anyone justify why I should invest in fabricating or purchasing a new pointer, when I will most likely get the same results with some paitience?

Sorry for hi-jacking the thread, but at least it is related.

I agree with you. I never used a light for 10+ years. Even when I do, I time it by ear and then once done playing with it for a day or two, I then check timing with a light just to see where I am at.

I would note that in the old days (before computers), I NEVER used a light at all. But with the computer controlled cars, I think it is a better idea, given how much the puter compensates (this more applies to motors with piezo's).

 

[deadlast]

how much do you normally turn the distributer. clockwise?

 

[Scorcher2005]

i still havent bumped my timing because im still not 100% clear on what to do. 1. i dont know where to aim the timing light
2. i dont know where the timing marks are
3. why do you need a timing light?

#1 - aim the light off to the right of the water pump. Above the balancer there is a little metal bracket down below it with a a hole and a pointer. The pointer is what you aim for.

#2 - The marks are on the balancer. You see the large pulley at the very bottom center of the engine? Well, the rusty looking thing its bolted to is the balancer. There are engravings on it. I suggest going under the car w/ some colored chalks and look for the marks. I had a friend bump over the engine so the balancer turned to where i could see and mark the engravings.

#3 - As said before, you dont NEED a light. The best way to do it is to advance it, and then go do a full throttle run. If you dont hear any pinging, advance it more. Kepp repeating until it pings and back it off a little. The light is only a benchmark.

Lastly, as said before, make sure you pull out the spout in the distributor. Its will be in the wire loom coming from the module on the distributor.

 

[JerseyGT]

I use the pointer, and yes timing makes a world of difference. I run 16* on mine with no pinging or overheating. Of course I am running 92 octane too. Make sure you pull the spout when you make your adjustments, and replace it afterward.

where would I got to get one of these "spouts" or timing lock pills? I don't have one.

 

[legalize420]

stand on the passenger side of the car. makes it much easier to see. you might have to move the radiator hose out of the way. i thought my pointer was gone but it was just the angle i was looking at it from.

 

[vristang]

I agree with you. I never used a light for 10+ years. Even when I do, I time it by ear and then once done playing with it for a day or two, I then check timing with a light just to see where I am at.

I would note that in the old days (before computers), I NEVER used a light at all. But with the computer controlled cars, I think it is a better idea, given how much the puter compensates (this more applies to motors with piezo's).

Thanks, now that I know I am not alone I don't feel like such a tool.

 

[vristang]

Once upon a time...
I found an indicator for a chevy motor that bolted onto the dist. and the block. There was a plate that was on the block and the indicator fastened to the dist. As you rotated the dist. the pointer would indicate timing, eliminating the need for a timing gun.

Has anyone ever seen one for a windsor? I have looked with no luck.

 

[HISSIN50]

Once upon a time...
I found an indicator for a chevy motor that bolted onto the dist. and the block. There was a plate that was on the block and the indicator fastened to the dist. As you rotated the dist. the pointer would indicate timing, eliminating the need for a timing gun.

Has anyone ever seen one for a windsor? I have looked with no luck.

Great idea! I once was going to make something similar with part of a compass face, etc. I just never did because I dont play with timing that much. I do like the idea though!

I have used a marker to notate on the dizzy and intake where like 10* and 14* was, but even the width of a marker line leaves it not too exact (I am also not that steady with a scribe).