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

Stock Iginiton Timing what is it>?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lynx331
  • Start date Start date Aug 18, 2004
L

Lynx331

New Member
Jan 5, 2004
308
0
0
Chicago IL
Aug 18, 2004
#1
  • Aug 18, 2004
  • #1
I have a 1987 mustang and im going to try and advance the timing, but what is the timing at stock? THanks
 
8

87'GTstang

New Member
Feb 16, 2004
1,025
0
0
Aug 18, 2004
#2
  • Aug 18, 2004
  • #2
10 degrees BTDC
 

88stangmangt

Active Member
Nov 25, 2003
2,332
1
48
Stafford,VA
Aug 18, 2004
#3
  • Aug 18, 2004
  • #3
87'GTstang said:
10 degrees BTDC
Click to expand...
All day long
 

BlooDReigN

Member
Feb 22, 2004
283
1
16
Calgary, Alberta
Aug 18, 2004
#4
  • Aug 18, 2004
  • #4
Speaking of which, I checked mine today for the first time since I bought the car, and didn't know anybody with a timing light. It was set at 26 degrees! Some how the car was running alright at that timing, but it does run smoother now.
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
33
129
Aug 19, 2004
#5
  • Aug 19, 2004
  • #5
BlooDReigN said:
Speaking of which, I checked mine today for the first time since I bought the car, and didn't know anybody with a timing light. It was set at 26 degrees! Some how the car was running alright at that timing, but it does run smoother now.
Click to expand...
was the spout out when you tested it? was the car running with locked timing. i cant imagine you backed it off 16* and it ran decent both ways.

if this sounds surprising to you, check the balancer. when the elastomer degrades, the outer ring (with your timing marks) slips and you will often get funky timing readings.
 

Gearbanger 101

Straight Outta Locash
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 10, 2002
9,457
1,377
234
Ontario, Canada
Aug 19, 2004
#6
  • Aug 19, 2004
  • #6
Yeah, it should have run like a dog and pinged like crazy with 26*!
 

stang22

Active Member
Jan 29, 2003
1,318
7
38
Washington, D.C.
Aug 19, 2004
#7
  • Aug 19, 2004
  • #7
BlooDReigN said:
Speaking of which, I checked mine today for the first time since I bought the car, and didn't know anybody with a timing light. It was set at 26 degrees! Some how the car was running alright at that timing, but it does run smoother now.
Click to expand...

Did you have the timing light clamped to plug wire #1 when you checked it?
 

88stangmangt

Active Member
Nov 25, 2003
2,332
1
48
Stafford,VA
Aug 19, 2004
#8
  • Aug 19, 2004
  • #8
Gearbanger 101 said:
Yeah, it should have run like a dog and pinged like crazy with 26*!
Click to expand...
ya no $hit.
 

Michael Yount

Mustang Master
Apr 10, 2002
9,039
6
79
Charlotte, NC
Aug 19, 2004
#9
  • Aug 19, 2004
  • #9
Stock timing is 10 degrees btdc with the spout removed and the engine completely warm and at idle. Plug the spout back in and the computer will usually add something on the order of 8 to 12 degrees advance to that initial setting - for a reading of 18-22 btdc. If someone had set the initial timing to 14-16 btdc, then I can see a spout-in idle reading of 26 btdc. That's about where mine reads - with 16-18 degrees of initial advance. No detonation at all running 87 octane in the middle of the summer. But that doesn't mean they'll all work that way or tolerate that much timing.
 

04sleeper

Founding Member
Jun 22, 2002
2,674
14
89
Dallas, TX
Aug 19, 2004
#10
  • Aug 19, 2004
  • #10
Yes. Every car is different. Every car reacts differently with timing. I have seen cars run as high as 19 degrees(not stock) and they run best. If I put mine anything over 11 degrees with 93 it pings so....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
Drivetrain 1987 Mustang notch drive questions
  • Shannonfox123
  • Apr 12, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
124
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Apr 12, 2026
AeroCoupe
9
Engine Donor '00 Mountaineer meet '91 Fox
  • 91firecracker
  • May 11, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2 3
Replies
41
Views
766
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 28, 2026
91firecracker
9
D
New Old Fox
  • Driver3
  • Jun 13, 2026
  • The Welcome Wagon
Replies
4
Views
129
The Welcome Wagon Jun 13, 2026
nickyb
Forced Induction Total Timing under boost
  • Dontknowchit
  • Aug 27, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
312
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Aug 28, 2025
Dontknowchit
Paint and Body Stripe kit for the Foxbody
  • TTSaleen
  • Oct 24, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
1
Views
152
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Oct 24, 2025
gkomo
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?