The CORRECT way to Set Timing on Ford Engines with a Distributor

To set the timing on Ford small block and Ford big block engines is simple if you follow these steps. This video covers: 5.0, 5.8, 390, 428, and other engines with distributors.

We cover setting the base timing on the vehicle and then how to adjust the advance on the distributor. Timing is one of the more critical settings to adjust as it controls when the spark plug fires in the cycle.

The distributor we are setting is a MSD Pro Billet race distributor, but the process should be "similar" with other distributors.

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[SmackeysGarage]

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[brittharms]

Thank you for explaining the MSD timing chart in laymans terms. Awesome video!!!

[AndyKruseChannel]

Nice work! Good explanation, lots of camera angles, and diagrams showing what you're talking about. Your videos are getting really good!

[SmackeysGarage]

What engine are you running and what base timing are you running?

[charleysgarage]

Great video, very well explained, I hope to get my channel to this level. I liked and subscribed and am going to watch more of your videos.

[athensboy]

Thank you sir.. just wanted to tell you that you're doing a really good job at your video I watched 8-20-23... Trying to work with my 302 it's skipping and backfiring and popping out.. hopefully by replacing the sprockets or gears and timing chain by doing this, Maybe this will help my old 1995 Ford F150

[teditzov]

On some or all of the old 223 cubic inch 6-cylinder engines, the ignition distributor had a single shaft, no speed related spark advance means. The carburetor had a small hole in the venturi which was to put a vacuum on the vacuum advance feature, along with a slot down by the throttle plate, also to supply vacuum to the vacuum advance diaphragm. A passageway which included a small, light plastic ball formed a tiny check valve so that when venturi vacuum was established, the said slot would be sealed off so that the venturi would become the sole vacuum source to advance the ignition timing. Such was the case in, for example, a '59 Fairlane 6 cylinder 3-speed manual transmission.

[fullthrottlekindaguy]

Great instructional video and how to for this critical tuning step.

[anthonyvela]

great video we'll made and brokwin down keep it up 💪👌💯

[DiablitoSpeedz]

Cool channel man ! Tuning in to the CHannel

[paullesho]

Nice FE. Thank you for saving real American made.

[motor_citymuscle]

I’ve been messing with measuring and marking my balancer and using a simple cheap timing light… I’m done. I’m getting the one you recommend.

[ColoradoStreetboarding]

Picked up a 72’ Lincoln Continental with the 460. Looks like they changed the carb but didn’t hook up the vacuum advance off the distributor… but I’m not seeing where to hook it up now with the new Edelbrock. I’m pretty green with this motor. Tips on what to do first?? Change to electronic ignition? Get the vacuum advance hooked up and check timing??

[Hyundairobitdog]

I have a 393ci windsor that was built for me 20 years ago. What would you suggest for total timing? It has 10.5 compression and afr 2.05 aluminium heads. Thanks

[stang]

Current setup is 351W, Holley sniper EFI, Rpm air gap, rpm heads, X Cam, longtubes. What would be the best initial timing for me?

[furthurondown]

88 302, no timing marks on my balancer.. i need to advance it more and my distributor is rotated as far clockwise as i can with the TFI in the way. I need it to not be sitting next to the head.. which way do i rotate the crank with the distributor out to advance more?

[MustangBoi]

I’m trying to figure out a 306 w/ 650 double pumper. I am guessing start with 10* BTDC and then check under the cap for the remainder? My question is, does MSD have a spring/bushing kit? Also, Say I am at 10* and under the cap is 28* and I want to be 32* total, can I back off to 4* BTDC and be equal?

[timothyfrost]

I've got 2 vacuum lines coming off my distributor, 1 going straight up and 1 coming straight out, which do I pull off. or do I remove both of them ? Thanks

[csnell]

Can you adjust the springs? Or are they preset by the manufacturer?

[countryboysgaming]

Got a 302 here that was swapped to a carb from injection from a 93 cobra. Runs great now except wen u get into 4 barrel it pops. Just cleaned the carb and stuff too. Would yall possibly think it could b timing. Cant use a timing light either cuz the harmonic balancer is off