Timing Advance

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   Has anyone advanced their timing to get better acceleration? Would it make much difference? Pro? Cons? I'm trying to establish a little more kick out of my stock 351 without purchasing more parts.

Thanks,

Ken

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Nautique2001 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: June-14-2004 Location: Massachusetts Status: Offline Points: 2832	Post Options Post Reply Quote Nautique2001 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Timing Advance Posted: June-01-2006 at 11:25am
	Has anyone advanced their timing to get better acceleration? Would it make much difference? Pro? Cons? I'm trying to establish a little more kick out of my stock 351 without purchasing more parts. Thanks, Ken
	Nautique 2001

David F Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Platinum Member Joined: June-11-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1770	Post Options Post Reply Quote David F Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June-01-2006 at 11:49am
	Yes, just make sure of the following: 1. Limit advance so as not to introduce detonation (pinging) when the lowest grade fuel is used. Check for pinging at all engine speeds and loads. Once satisfied, use the next higher grade fuel to be safe. 2. Limit advance to avoid labored engine starting does not occur (cold or hot). 3. Limit advance to avoid overrunning or dieseling when shutting down engine. FWIW, my non-stock 351W will not run properly at the PCM base timing spec. I do not even bother using a timing light, but set as mentioned above. I do the following: 1. Advance timing for smooth and fastest idle. Then back it off slightly. 2. Test engine in water under load and at speed. If pinging occurs, back off timing slightly until pinging does not occur. 3. Check engine starting. If labored engine starts, back off timing slight until easy and quick starts. Done. ooops, almost forgot, then adjust carb, if necessary.

Nautique2001 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: June-14-2004 Location: Massachusetts Status: Offline Points: 2832	Post Options Post Reply Quote Nautique2001 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June-01-2006 at 11:58am
	Thanks for the advice!! I'm not sure if I'd notice the difference with a stock engine. It's worth making the adjustments if I get more punch. It runs perfectly now and I'm afraid to tweak too much. I use 87 octane now. I'd be willing to jump to 89 to eliminate potential knocks and pings. Ken
	Nautique 2001

79nautique Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: January-27-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 7872	Post Options Post Reply Quote 79nautique Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June-01-2006 at 2:46pm
	your not going to get anymore bunch than you currently have by adjusting the timing unless the timing is way off to start with then your just fixing a problem and not improving anything.

greenhat Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: June-03-2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote greenhat Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June-03-2006 at 7:15pm
	I have a 79 south wind 351 run fine when I bought it this spring, then I retimed it now it back fires through the carb when trying to accelerate. can't seem to correct it.
	79 South Wind

79nautique Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: January-27-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 7872	Post Options Post Reply Quote 79nautique Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June-04-2006 at 8:47am
	If your timing is set at between 6-10 degrees then the timing should be ok and you need to replace the power valve most likely use a 6.5 power valve that you can get about any place that sells Holley carb parts. O'reiley will have them if one is in your area. Pick up the new blue gasket for the primary bowl while your at it, incase the gasket gets messed up removing the bowl two install the power valve.

JEFF KOSTIS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Gold Member Joined: April-19-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 817	Post Options Post Reply Quote JEFF KOSTIS Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June-05-2006 at 10:22pm
	Having the timing set higher without pinging will give you the most power/quick accelerations. Thats what new electronic spark control does. It will advance timing until the threshold of pinging, depending on the octane your burning. David F's boat must rock!! I know I checked the old 302 in my 76 M17 and it was set at factory and was doggy compared to the 74 M17. I cranked her up to 20 deg at idle, reset idle adjustments, and man what a difference!! Quick!! Fast!! Perfect starts hot or cold!! I run 93 octane all the time, no ping, nothing. Nail the throttle and what a difference!! For 20 years we would ran the timing on the 74 M17 OMC 225 307 chevy at 25 deg advance. Scary, but NO ping, ran 110% and 52 mph top end. The only problem it would eat dist caps as it was so advanced, it would arch the contacts every 100 hrs, so I backed it down to about 15 BTDC and the cap lasts twice as long, but went down to 50 MPH and reduced hole shot. Jeff...
	MUSTANG COUNTRY 1974 Mustang 17 1976 Mustang 17

79nautique Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: January-27-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 7872	Post Options Post Reply Quote 79nautique Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June-06-2006 at 9:38am
	you have other problems with the dist/timing chain/gears and just don't know it, 20-25 advance at base thats 50-60 adding the mech advnce now way thats running right.

JEFF KOSTIS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Gold Member Joined: April-19-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 817	Post Options Post Reply Quote JEFF KOSTIS Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June-06-2006 at 9:24pm
	It has been like that since new. It doesnt ping at all where if it did I could say it was a bit much. Jeff...
	MUSTANG COUNTRY 1974 Mustang 17 1976 Mustang 17

79nautique Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: January-27-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 7872	Post Options Post Reply Quote 79nautique Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June-07-2006 at 8:59am
	it's that high because the mech advance doesn't work or is very limited in it's advance.

greenhat Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: June-03-2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote greenhat Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June-10-2006 at 3:19pm
	79 nautique I addressed the carb power valve issue and it still bogged and back fired thruogh the carb. But what I didn't tell you was I just put a wedge on the carb and didn't replace the gaskets. I know that should be a "given". With new gaskets it's running fine. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
	79 South Wind

Timing Advance

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