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Need help setting initial timing

  • Thread starter Thread starter Roxy89
  • Start date Start date Mar 8, 2007

Roxy89

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Nov 11, 2006
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Mar 8, 2007
#1
  • Mar 8, 2007
  • #1
Ok so I am a little new to setting the timing on the mustang. I do a lot of mechanical stuff myself, but have yet to use a timing light. This is a first for me so I have a question. I have already set the 1st piston to TDC on the compression stroke, and the balancer was at 0 deg. right on that little pointer, now my question is this. When I clean up my balancer and mark the timing points, how is it that I check the timing. If I understand correctly, when the strobe light of the timing gun flashes it makes the marks look like they stay still. So am I supposed to turn the distributor until the mark I want (for example - 14 deg) is lined up at the pointer steadily with the flashes of the timing gun? If this is correct, please let me know so I may continue to set my timing. If not please let me know what I have to do. Thanks.
 

Aryan15

Member
Sep 22, 2003
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Mar 8, 2007
#2
  • Mar 8, 2007
  • #2
sounds right, but make sure to disconnect the spout connector before turning the distributor. Also make sure there are no loads such as a/c or electrical loads.
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
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129
Mar 8, 2007
#3
  • Mar 8, 2007
  • #3
In case it helps, here's some info.

I use a silver sharpie to color in the 10 and 14* lines (for instance). The timing light strobe picks up the silver ink easily.

Good luck.
 
Y

Yellowpnoy

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Feb 6, 2006
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Mar 8, 2007
#4
  • Mar 8, 2007
  • #4
Someone gave me a great pointer, if you dont want to start the car, just pull the fuel pump relay (under the drivers seat), so that the motor wont start and you can set the timing that way!

Anthony
 

Roxy89

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Nov 11, 2006
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Mar 9, 2007
#5
  • Mar 9, 2007
  • #5
Ok so I was setting the timing and test driving every once in awhile and I couldn't get it to ping. Right now I have it at 20 degrees and no pinging. It didn't ping until I took it to about 30 deg but then it also gave me idling problems. But at 20 deg it is not pinging and running very smooth. Does this sound normal? I took the spout connector out with the car on and then hooked up my timing light and turned the car on and then read the timing. Now when I finish setting the timing and tightening the distributor, do i just connect the spout connector again with the car on and then take it for a test drive, or am I supposed to shut it off again, then put the spout connector and then test drive it? Please let me know because to me, 20 deg is too much. Also, the deg reading is at the end of the pointer correct? For example if I am standing in front of the car looking at the engine and look down I see the timing pointer. Am I supposed to line up the timing marks all the way to the right of the timing pointer?
 

Modular2v

Founding Member
Jun 30, 2002
3,222
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oklahoma
Mar 14, 2007
#6
  • Mar 14, 2007
  • #6
Roxy89 said:
Ok so I was setting the timing and test driving every once in awhile and I couldn't get it to ping. Right now I have it at 20 degrees and no pinging. It didn't ping until I took it to about 30 deg but then it also gave me idling problems. But at 20 deg it is not pinging and running very smooth. Does this sound normal? I took the spout connector out with the car on and then hooked up my timing light and turned the car on and then read the timing. Now when I finish setting the timing and tightening the distributor, do i just connect the spout connector again with the car on and then take it for a test drive, or am I supposed to shut it off again, then put the spout connector and then test drive it? Please let me know because to me, 20 deg is too much. Also, the deg reading is at the end of the pointer correct? For example if I am standing in front of the car looking at the engine and look down I see the timing pointer. Am I supposed to line up the timing marks all the way to the right of the timing pointer?
Click to expand...

20 degrees might not be too much....it really just depends on the car. What octane fuel are you running, premium fuel fights off pinging when timing is aggresively advanced
 

Roxy89

New Member
Nov 11, 2006
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Mar 14, 2007
#7
  • Mar 14, 2007
  • #7
Modular2v said:
20 degrees might not be too much....it really just depends on the car. What octane fuel are you running, premium fuel fights off pinging when timing is aggresively advanced
Click to expand...

Well I was running premium fuel, but my last tank I put in regular 87 octane just to see what it would do. I figured if it pinged a little I would back it down to maybe the original 14 I was shooting for and could do fine without even using premium fuel. Well to my amazement, I have been on that tank of gas for about 3 days now, and still nothing abnormal.
 
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