Timing

Engine, ignition, fuel, cooling, exhaust

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wildcard
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Timing

Post by wildcard »

I have a 300 I-6 that's running rough and the plugs have a black soot on them. I'm wanting to check the timing but I can't find what it should be set at. It has electronic ignition.
Anyone have an idea where the timing should be set ?
thanks.
ButtaBean
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Re: Timing

Post by ButtaBean »

I believe its 10° btdc
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basketcase0302
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Re: Timing

Post by basketcase0302 »

"wildcard"]I have a 300 I-6 that's running rough and the plugs have a black soot on them. I'm wanting to check the timing but I can't find what it should be set at. It has electronic ignition.
Anyone have an idea where the timing should be set ?
thanks.
Specified timing "from the factory literature" is always just that (when the engine is new running at peak performance).
"Static timing" (set by ear not timing light / engine sound / cranking characteristics both hot and cold / engine performance both hot and cold) will always give you a better running engine. Play around with it / try different settings (verified with the timing light and the vacuum gauge hooked up)-but never rely on simply a number specified by Ford on a brand new engine (running "ethyl" 100 octane back then) way...before ethanol was in our fuels.
Start at 10 like Buttabean suggested / try running 11 degrees / try running 12 degrees / etc...until you find the sweet spot your particular engine likes as no two engines will eve be the same, (unless they are both built by the same tech with the exact parts). :2cents:
Jeff
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A lot of "oddball" Ford parts collected from working on them for 34 years now!
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Manny
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Re: Timing

Post by Manny »

Follow basketcase there!! As he said 30 years ago they were tuning for fuel and emissions at the dealer. Nowadays tune her to be happy. 10-15BTDC of base if it starts easy set here where she is happy. She will tell ya. Also don't forget lazy points and worn rubbing block retard timing as the points fade out.. :2cents: Nevermind you said electronic ignition... :doh:
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wildcard
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Re: Timing

Post by wildcard »

I appreciate all the responses. I think I have it pretty close now.
Got another problem I'll post concerning the engine stopping while driving.
Thanks again.
Lee
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Re: Timing

Post by Lee »

Hi,

Black soot on plugs sounds like you are running to rich to me,... not a timing issue.

Is the float level set correctly?

Have the jets been changed?

Idle mixture set correctly?

Take care,
Lee
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