How to set the timing in a 289

I've been wanting to reposition the distributor on my stock 289, especially since the recent hard fuel line upgrade is riding too close to the distributor. You should be able to set the timing on your 289/302 whether you want to reposition it, reset it, or start from scratch.

The car is a 1966 Mustang Coupe with a factory V8 and 4 speed transmission.

Shot with GoPro Hero 5, edited on Davinci Resolve 16.

Credit for the music in the video:
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Epidemic Sound
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[puchski]

Great video and it takes the mystery out of the relationship of the distributor and firing of the cylinders. Historic fun note: I am the original owner of a 1965 mustang that I still drive to car shows. On road trips in the old days, if you were going up to altitude or say, if you got a bad batch of gas, the engine would either ping or hesitate. The solution was to just loosen and move the distributor one way or another until the engine "sounded smooth". No timing light needed and you kinda show this in the video. That brought back some memories! Thumbs up!

[karendusty]

Great video, very helpful to us! Looking forward to more!

[HEARTNHUSTLESTUDIOS]

Good tips. Great car. Thanks for posting.

[keepingupwiththejones]

Yesss!! Got a shot of the car in the beginning

[hughphillipsMustang]

I had this exact same issue. Did the same thing you did. But together the timing where it was supposed to be, it ended up right back where it was before I started. Right up against the hard fuel line again. guess that's where it's going to stay.

[BigJnWorldWide]

I love your videos so much. I recently bought a 95 S10 with a 289 (I know, I know). But it's punched out .60 over and it's got roller valve train. It's kinda cool. I've used you videos to determine that the timing is too late or it's got bad rings. I'll find out once the engine cools off.

[XSpt]

aren't you suppose to disconnect the vacuum advance line? and wait for the engine to warm up?

[gerardolopez]

Hi Andy... I have a 289 engine bored out to 347. I need to remove the distributor because the vacuum advance housing hits the fuel line too. Once removed, do I need to turn the oil pump shaft too? I notice you didn't. Please let me know.

[ProcrastnrsUnitemorrow]

Interesting method u use. So I always thought stabbing the dizzy on exact tdc but your method is to start at 12deg btdc. Please advise thx!!!

[justinc]

Great video. Of course it’s never easy for anyone trying to do it by themselves. Stripped the crank bolt, busted my knuckles, and chucked a wrench through the wall. That’s my luck though.

[jaygonzales]

Sir, what is the purpose of test light. is this only for distributors with points?

[ricosmoove]

Hey Andy! I have a question, what was the size socket did you use for the timing adjustment

[jatalberg]

I put my pertonix on other day runs much better. so once back from electric shop, got new intake arriving today and son bought a 800 hp motor with blower other day, he's giving me one of his 650 holleys to top it, then want to time it your method, I'm sure you watched the video of guy with motor on bench, he just button everything up after the on and off light trick and fired up, no timing light, what you think ? further steps needed? I have stock distributor had hole no cut out so had to cut and rejoin wires, so shorten the wires at sametime. need to upgrade that maybe before adding intake

[jasonpunty]

If you find TDC first, then all u have to do is lift tge distributor just enough to disengage the gear and turn the rotor to that #1 position and drop it back down. If the distributor is not fully engaging, just blip the starter utility it falls in. This job can be done in 2 minutes.

[jatalberg]

Andy quick question, any chance engine could fire if leaving coil wire on?

[joseespinoza]

Hey Andy, you helped answer my question on your other video about the timing chain cover the other day. I got my engine to top dead center but the harmonic balancer fits on and says 30° and is perfectly vertical. I know it’s at top dead center because I felt the compression stroke push my finger out when I shorted the solenoid and spun the motor. Do the timing marks on the harmonic balancer matter if I know that the true top dead center is activated?

[merc]

How did you verify timing with the vacuum advance hooked up? And I thought the 289 is supposed to be set to 6* btdc?

[kdog]

Hello Andy! I'm working on the timing on my 66 vert 289-2v (2100) c4 so I dialed up your video. I noted you run a P-1 ignitor in your distributor. Since this video is two years old, I imagine you've upgraded that. I had to upgrade my P-1 to a P-2 out of necessity (I let the magic smoke out of my P-1). My question is, are you, or have you, done a full-on timing video, setting distributor curve, adjusting vacuum can, etc? Right now I run 12 degrees base timing at idle and 40 degree full advanced at 3k rpm and it is smooth, but I want to make sure I'm on the right track, reading spark plug arm markings/colors, etc. Keep up the good work! And know..."I'm watching you!"

[elijahthompson]

I set mines at 10 degrees is that alright or should I retime it?

[fred-ovhh]

so when you move distributor when running, with timing light is mark at marker? or at 9 degrees?