[Rvornhagen]

Hello Im new here I have a question I hope somebody can answer MY car was running very good but I put a timing light on it and it was runing about 30 degrees advanced so Looked up manufacture specs 6 degrees advanced so I moved it to 6 degrees and took it for a test drive and It feels like I lost 50 hP
can anybody tell me what I should do

[NXS]

Is your mechanical advance working? If so what is the total timing at say, 3000 rpm?

[Dubz]

most fords don't like any more total than 32. did you have the vaccum hooked up to the distributor when you checked with the light?

[dmorris1200]

Originally posted by Dubz
most fords don't like any more total than 32. did you have the vaccum hooked up to the distributor when you checked with the light?

I would absolutely disagree with that statement. Most sbf engines when set up correctly like more ignition timing than sbc's. I'm currently running 38* mechanical timing with an additional 12* of vacuum advance when cruising. Here is a link to a good website of Ford info...

http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2000/03/timing/

[454me]

I think its pretty common to run better with more advance than the factory specs. You run into a ping problem if you get too far advanced.

[red65mustang]

The factory setting, "6" on a points car is a compromise choice so the original, stock motor can run "decent" at any altitude/climate/gas/etc.
For tune ups, it says use 8 (a little perkier so the guy knows you did a tune up?)
It further says: "you can increase the base by up to 5 deg from the 6 for maximum performance if the alt/etc allows".
To check your base timing be sure to disconnect and plug the vacuum advance first.
Rev the motor to 3,000 and confirm the total is less than 32-34 with the base at 6 BEFORE you start increasing the base.
Depends on your motor, stock with 87 octane, 10/32-34 is pretty safe.

Need more info on your motor!

[Dubz]

Originally posted by dmorris1200
I would absolutely disagree with that statement. Most sbf engines when set up correctly like more ignition timing than sbc's. I'm currently running 38* mechanical timing with an additional 12* of vacuum advance when cruising. Here is a link to a good website of Ford info...

Ford Muscle

yes, i own a ford myself, but i stand by my most fords do not like more than 32 total.

[red65mustang]

your link doesn't work, gooooogle doesn't work for Ford Muscle

[dmorris1200]

Edited folks...keepin' it clean.

[red65mustang]

???
The article used a Pertronix in place of points for fixed dwell at high RPM, yeah I agree you can run more timing with solid state, I do for mpg on my car.

[dmorris1200]

Edited folks...keepin' it clean.

[Dubz]

I myself have ran more without terribly ill results but find that around the 32 mark is where most fords are happiest. Even the newer computer controlled mustangs seem like they like more timing, but the computer actually retards them, so as where some people thought they were running 40-42* total, were actually getting 32-34. Individual cars vary, granted, but the average sbf likes around 32 degrees.

[red65mustang]

Notice this is one of the few (no jokes guys I tend to be crotchity at my age) Blue Oval threads.

[dmorris1200]

Edited folks...keepin' it clean.

[Jmark]

Hmm, I leave for 2 days and come back to this? Tisk Tisk.