Timing & Spout questions
- SteveG
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Re: where do you set your timing
Start at 10 and make sure it runs ok. If it doesn't, figure out why before straying from the factory specification. If it's good, advance a bit at a time until it pings then back it off.
Or, just set at 10 and be done.
Or, just set at 10 and be done.
Sho nuff,
SteveG
SteveG
- BajaF250
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Re: where do you set your timing
To be honest, I can't get much less than 10°, the lightning motor starts to ping pretty quickly. So, I run it stock.
- SteveG
- Admin
- Posts: 6142
- Joined: Sat Dec 05, 2009 10:25 am
- Bronco Info: Wilson: 96, Stretched 17.5", coil-overs / Bypasses, 4-link, a fridge and all the amenities :)
- Location: Arroyo Grande, CA
Re: where do you set your timing
Yup. These are big, heavy and underpowered rigs that usually don't take well to advanced ignition timing. I think mine ended up at 11 degrees after playing with it. In other words, not worth the effort. When I get it running again I'll just stick it at 10 and be done with it.
Sho nuff,
SteveG
SteveG
- Agui-E7TE
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Re: where do you set your timing
10 degrees works like a charm. Back when I had Mustangs with the 5.0L HO, I always saw guys advancing their timing claiming it was faster.. They never were faster than my stock 5.0L and I always ran mine at 10 degrees. The other guys would have issues down the line as far as knocking or fouling up the plugs.
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Re: where do you set your timing
I ask because the this has no power and has a miss under load. If I mat the throttle without it in gear it runs smooth and rpm ramps smoothly. But as soon as it gets a load on it misses like a champ
I have been me for 32 years and know i cant spell for Sh!$ so get over it . Thanks Josh
Re: where do you set your timing
Then you have other issues than timing. Set it to stock for now and figure out what part is failing. Better yet if it hasn't been done recently just do a tune up with plugs, wires cap and rotor. then when it runs correctly you can break it again 

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Re: where do you set your timing
Check your coil also. I had a weak coil that did exactly what you're describing. It was a quick $25 fix.
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- Bronco Info: 1989 4in lift billie 5100
timing bump
So after I got all my problems fixed the truck is running great but a little down on power, then I realized I set the timing to the factory 10deg. Bumped it to around 12.5 and wow what a difference. Thought I would share and hopefully some of you will dust off the timing light and give it a go, mpg seems a little better and I don't have to use as much throttle to get the truck moving but its hard to stay out of it when its running so good.
- hobbyturnedobsession
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Re: Timing & Spout questions
Haha i know that feeling! Good to hear!!!
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Re: Timing & Spout questions
Thanks to the mod who moved my post here, didn't see this thread.
- Agui-E7TE
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Re: Timing & Spout questions
I wonder if maybe your harmonic balancer could be slightly off. You can't accurately time an engine that has a faulty balancer... I had a really worn out balancer and I had to time it using a vacuum gauge as well as my ears. Funny thing is its almost like tuning a guitar, haha!
I now have a Summit Racing Harmonic Balancer which makes setting the timing much easier.
I now have a Summit Racing Harmonic Balancer which makes setting the timing much easier.
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Re: Timing & Spout questions
Hmm it looks ok to me lol.
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- Bronco Info: 1989 4in lift billie 5100
timing
Just interested to see where everyone is at for base timing. At 10deg my 89 5.0 os a dog, currently its at 14 but I'm experimenting. Also in 89 is there any mechanical advance or is it all electronic?
- Agui-E7TE
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- Bronco Info: 89 Bronco w/ 6 in. skyjacker kit w/ dual Bilstein 5150 shocks up front and Deaver F53's in the rear
Re: timing
I think it's all electronic advance. I run it at 10 degrees BTDC on my 5.8L and it runs fine. I might try to bump it to 12 to see if it has any effect... I doubt it though. More than anything I need to re-gear it.
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Re: timing
I had noticable power gains from bumping it, butt dyno never lies!
- guard
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Re: timing
Time for some 4:88's Augi?Agui-E7TE wrote:I think it's all electronic advance. I run it at 10 degrees BTDC on my 5.8L and it runs fine. I might try to bump it to 12 to see if it has any effect... I doubt it though. More than anything I need to re-gear it.
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Re: timing
I'm only on 33s and I'm wishing I had 411s
- Agui-E7TE
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- Joined: Sat Jul 30, 2011 2:50 am
- Bronco Info: 89 Bronco w/ 6 in. skyjacker kit w/ dual Bilstein 5150 shocks up front and Deaver F53's in the rear
Re: timing
No can do.. I have a C6 so I'll have to do 4.56 gears to try to keep the RPM's under 3000 on the highway.guard wrote:Time for some 4:88's Augi?Agui-E7TE wrote:I think it's all electronic advance. I run it at 10 degrees BTDC on my 5.8L and it runs fine. I might try to bump it to 12 to see if it has any effect... I doubt it though. More than anything I need to re-gear it.
- hytech450r
- Posts: 58
- Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2011 3:40 pm
- Bronco Info: 95 bronco 351,4.5 over beams. 37's
timing
hey guys I recently had an issue with spark on my 95 bronco it has the 5.8L. I changed out the distributor and it ended up being the pcm. now its running again but doesn't run like it used to its a lot more sluggish. im thinking the timing may be off. anyone know what it should be set at? thanks
- hobbyturnedobsession
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Re: timing
10 degrees btdc