Timing on a 351C

[Mach1 Ian]

What is the best setting for the timing on a 351C? The book says 6b. A friend of mine who is an old school Ford trained mechanic here in the UK has changed the points and condenser for me as i am a total novice in these things, he has set the timing at 8b. the problem is now is that when i am cruising at about 40/50 mph i get a very slight misfire /hesitation, is it the timing or could it be a faulty condenser? Every thing was OK beforehand, but as i am going to the classic Le-Mans in France in a few weeks i thought i would give it a service so every thing was OK for the trip.

Thanks for any help given.

Ian.

 

[D.Hearne]

First thing you need to do is get rid of the points and condenser and replace it all with something like a Pertronix unit. That's going to eliminate most of your problems with tuning the engine. A points ignition needs to be tuned up at least twice a year (sometimes more often, depending on the quality of the points set) in a daily driven car. Going to a Pertronix (or any of the drop in points replacement modules) will let you go at least two years on a tune up (sometimes longer) The base timing needs to be set at about 10-16* BTDC. 6 to 8 is retarded too much. What plugs, cap, rotor and wires are you running ?