The Ford Barn

Bruce of MN · 09-01-2018, 05:28 AM

I searched "6 head timing" and found these:

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showp...3&postcount=15

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showp...71&postcount=2

Not exactly conclusive. I looked in Les Andrews, Vol. II, but no info there.

Any suggestions if I need to time the stock dizzy any different than for a stock head? I probably will have to use the lever more diligently.

Tom Wesenberg · 09-01-2018, 06:16 AM

Time the distributor for top dead center no matter which head is used.
More compression takes less advance of the spark lever.

Bob Bidonde · 09-01-2018, 07:48 AM

I start by timing at standard way, zero advance @ TDC. From zero advance @ TDC timing, I drive and iterate the advance to find the sweet spot with the lever all the down. This is done by tweaking the distributor cam.

duke36 · 09-01-2018, 09:31 AM

Tom and Bob are right on in my experience. Yes, have found the advance more sensitive and less movement of the lever downward especially on hills. Some posts say to adjust the point setting also, but .020 has been fine so far with W18 plugs ...

Patrick L. · 09-01-2018, 10:54 AM

Both point and timing I think should be set as normal [ TDC & .020"].
I don't think these monsters need 40º of total advance with any cylinder head. I think 30º is plenty, so you could find that with the lever and either normally set the lever there or restrict the lever travel to that amount. I wouldn't want the base timing to be retarded much more than TDC.

old31 · 09-01-2018, 05:28 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

With my 6.0 head I use .020 and W18 plugs. Most of the time the lever is between 3 and 4 oclock when driving. When climbing a hill the engine will tell me how much to back off the timing.

On a very flat road while doing 60 mph the lever will be at maxed at 4 oclock.

PC/SR · 09-02-2018, 01:33 AM

As you drive with the head you will start to learn how to use the spark advance. Not to much advance for cruising(say 25* for starters.). Full retard going down hills. A little less advance from cruise going up hills. As you (or anyone with any head) work with the spark you will become a better driver. I have gone to an FSI electronic distributor, which is strictly RPM controlled for the advance, and while I generally like it (and I have modified the spark curve) I do miss the close control of the manual advance.

old31 · 09-02-2018, 09:18 AM

I had a FSI Zipper and returned it. It was just not a good product with the 6.1 head.

Jerry in Shasta · 09-02-2018, 12:15 PM

Remember 6.-1 may be high for a Model A, but by today standards it is very low.

wmws · 09-02-2018, 01:08 PM

I set my timing so with the lever all the way down I am at 30* BTDC. That way I know exactly how much advance I am giving it and don't have to guess with the lever.

duke36 · 09-02-2018, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old31

I had a FSI Zipper and returned it. It was just not a good product with the 6.1 head.

Same with me, prior owner installed it.. Couldn't get timing retarded enough on hills without modifying the plate, advance springs, etc.
Thought the distributor body notch was supposed to allow for 20 degrees or about 1" wide for stock points/ timing setup..

09-01-2018, 05:28 AM	#1
Bruce of MN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: VA Posts: 1,410	Timing with 6.0 Head I searched "6 head timing" and found these: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showp...3&postcount=15 https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showp...71&postcount=2 Not exactly conclusive. I looked in Les Andrews, Vol. II, but no info there. Any suggestions if I need to time the stock dizzy any different than for a stock head? I probably will have to use the lever more diligently.

09-01-2018, 06:16 AM	#2
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Timing with 6.0 Head Time the distributor for top dead center no matter which head is used. More compression takes less advance of the spark lever.

09-01-2018, 07:48 AM	#3
Bob Bidonde Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 3,463	Re: Timing with 6.0 Head I start by timing at standard way, zero advance @ TDC. From zero advance @ TDC timing, I drive and iterate the advance to find the sweet spot with the lever all the down. This is done by tweaking the distributor cam. __________________ Bob Bidonde

09-01-2018, 09:31 AM	#4
duke36 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 1,414	Re: Timing with 6.0 Head Tom and Bob are right on in my experience. Yes, have found the advance more sensitive and less movement of the lever downward especially on hills. Some posts say to adjust the point setting also, but .020 has been fine so far with W18 plugs ...

09-01-2018, 10:54 AM	#5
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Timing with 6.0 Head Both point and timing I think should be set as normal [ TDC & .020"]. I don't think these monsters need 40º of total advance with any cylinder head. I think 30º is plenty, so you could find that with the lever and either normally set the lever there or restrict the lever travel to that amount. I wouldn't want the base timing to be retarded much more than TDC.

09-01-2018, 05:28 PM	#6
old31 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 2,094	Re: Timing with 6.0 Head Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) With my 6.0 head I use .020 and W18 plugs. Most of the time the lever is between 3 and 4 oclock when driving. When climbing a hill the engine will tell me how much to back off the timing. On a very flat road while doing 60 mph the lever will be at maxed at 4 oclock.

09-02-2018, 01:33 AM	#7
PC/SR Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 1,278	Re: Timing with 6.0 Head As you drive with the head you will start to learn how to use the spark advance. Not to much advance for cruising(say 25* for starters.). Full retard going down hills. A little less advance from cruise going up hills. As you (or anyone with any head) work with the spark you will become a better driver. I have gone to an FSI electronic distributor, which is strictly RPM controlled for the advance, and while I generally like it (and I have modified the spark curve) I do miss the close control of the manual advance.

09-02-2018, 09:18 AM	#8
old31 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 2,094	Re: Timing with 6.0 Head I had a FSI Zipper and returned it. It was just not a good product with the 6.1 head.

09-02-2018, 12:15 PM	#9
Jerry in Shasta Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: (Old)Shasta (Redding) CA Posts: 385	Re: Timing with 6.0 Head Remember 6.-1 may be high for a Model A, but by today standards it is very low. __________________ Connoisseur of Rust

09-02-2018, 01:08 PM	#10
wmws BANNED Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Coatesville, Pa Posts: 719	Re: Timing with 6.0 Head I set my timing so with the lever all the way down I am at 30* BTDC. That way I know exactly how much advance I am giving it and don't have to guess with the lever.