Have a 1982 Ski Nautique with 351 Ford PCM, Prestolite point ignition. Looking for ignition degree timing

at idle and around 2000rpm, it should be advancing by 2k. Also what is recommended idle setting.

Thank you for any help.

The later one was 10 degrees because the advance limiter plate was different.(it's the slotted thing with the point cam attached in the picture below)

I'd look under the points plate and verify that the weights move freely and aren't all rusted up and also verify that both advance springs are intact.

The 2 springs are different from each other.

One is heavy with oval shaped ends and has no tension on it when just sitting there. It only works to limit advance at high RPM like above about 3500.

The small one with lighter wire should have tension on it while just sitting there and is working through the whole RPM range.

Since it works a lot harder than the big one, it can break or stretch too much and wreak havoc on you ability to get the timing right.

Here's a picture showing both springs installed at rest

Heavy spring is top left and lighter spring bottom right

If you have spring issues, you'll have curve issues 

here's a "typical" curve for the clip down cap distributor with good springs and weights.( and no wear or slop, but after 39 years there's gonna be some)

RPM      Timing

500     O     + initial timing

1000    4     + initial timing

1500   12    + initial timing

2000   16    + initial timing

2500   18    + initial timing

3000   22    + initial timing

3500   24    + initial timing

4000   24    + initial timing

So you could set it at 6 degrees and come up with about 30 degrees at full throttle or set it at 10 degrees and get about 34 degrees 

Here's a link to a PCM manual from the 80's (from the CCF reference section) that should be helpful to you. Page 8 has idle speed and timing info.

http://www.correctcraftfan.com/downloads/PCM_Owners_Manual_Ford_and_Chevy.pdf" rel="nofollow - link

morris2125