The Ford Barn

poolplayer1 · 10-13-2023, 11:08 AM

So I have my 302 initial timing set to 12 degree BTDC and its running good, eighter at idle or going down the road ( other than the overheating) problem.I was talking to a man that had his own auto repair shop here in town for about 45 years. He moved out of town a long time ago but came to visit his daughter for a week. I have known him for years and was a real good mechanic, especially on the 50's tru 90's cars. Anyway I was telling him about my wagon running hot. He asked me how I had my timing settings and I told him my settings. He said that my 302 should be set at 6 degree BTDC but at the same time he said that every engine is different. He said the simple way for me to do to do it was to advance the timing until I hear knocking/ pinging and than retard it until the pinging was gone. I remember when this man would set the carburetor idle screws by just listening to the motor. He would do the same when adjusting the distributor, just move it back and forth until he heard the engine running smoothly. He had a real good reputation as a excellent mechanic. I do understand and have heard the saying, If it aint broke, don't fix it but I wanted your opinion on the 2 different settings, where I have it now at 12 BTDC or the 6BTDC he mentioned. I guess I can always just play around with it to look at it to see how the engine reacts when running at 6 degree. What do you think?
You guys are the pro's compared to a learning in progress guy like me. Thanks to all as always.

10-13-2023, 11:08 AM	#1
poolplayer1 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 399	55 Ford Wagon Timing Question: So I have my 302 initial timing set to 12 degree BTDC and its running good, eighter at idle or going down the road ( other than the overheating) problem.I was talking to a man that had his own auto repair shop here in town for about 45 years. He moved out of town a long time ago but came to visit his daughter for a week. I have known him for years and was a real good mechanic, especially on the 50's tru 90's cars. Anyway I was telling him about my wagon running hot. He asked me how I had my timing settings and I told him my settings. He said that my 302 should be set at 6 degree BTDC but at the same time he said that every engine is different. He said the simple way for me to do to do it was to advance the timing until I hear knocking/ pinging and than retard it until the pinging was gone. I remember when this man would set the carburetor idle screws by just listening to the motor. He would do the same when adjusting the distributor, just move it back and forth until he heard the engine running smoothly. He had a real good reputation as a excellent mechanic. I do understand and have heard the saying, If it aint broke, don't fix it but I wanted your opinion on the 2 different settings, where I have it now at 12 BTDC or the 6BTDC he mentioned. I guess I can always just play around with it to look at it to see how the engine reacts when running at 6 degree. What do you think? You guys are the pro's compared to a learning in progress guy like me. Thanks to all as always.