another timing altitude question

[jkl72-40]

I know to time my f motor to 7 degrees but what about altitude?
I'm at 2k feet but drive to 4400 an dup to 5500 (i live in a canyon) so what should I set it at 7 still?

 

[IDave]

Most F engines are perfectly happy at 10-12 degrees BTDC, and you might find that helpful. If it pings, you'll know you've gone too far.



--12 degrees and 5150.

 

[jkl72-40]

so that would put the bb before the line about an eigth of an inch?

 

[FJ40Jim]

That puts the BB just about at the bottom of the window.

 

[MoCoNative]

Been running 11-12 at 6,000 up to 10,000 for years, works very well for me. Any more and I had trouble starting.

 

[jkl72-40]

ok thanks

 

[MoCoNative]

I have a timing light, I think I have seen them at NAPA and Checker, works fine, it has the ability to adjust the moment the light blinks, that is the most exact way to set it. Otherwise, just a standard light works too, Jim's right on the BB placement (of course). The guy that rebuilt my engine years ago actually put marks on the flywheel with a large, compass/protractor deal for 10,11,12, so that has been handy for me.

 

[jkl72-40]

that would be a nice addition

 

[jkl72-40]

ok I pulled the vac line and plugged it set the bb just to the left of the pointer is sounded ok, turned the motor off then started it. it didnt want to start made some weird noises so I backed the timing to the bb... it just doesnt seem right still hard to start any ideas??

 

[fireflyr]

It has been a while since I stabbed a distributor but, could you be off a tooth? I have the ball on the right edge of the window and it seems to run well.... would that be advanced to 12 degrees BTDC? My dyslexia seems to kick in hardest when I deal with timing. Good ulck.

 

[jkl72-40]

when I started this the bb was not in the picture and was off to the right. If it off a tooth how would I know?

 

[fireflyr]

when I started this the bb was not in the picture and was off to the right. If it off a tooth how would I know?

I'm probably off-base here. If you can get the BB in the window than you should be correct.

 

[jkl72-40]

fireflyr u r right about that
but it will kind-of stop in mid rotation on statup which isnt good I think its off a tooth my question is which way should I move it one tooth?

 

[FJ40Jim]

An F engine should not have enough compression to kick back against the starter with the timing at 10* or less. there might be other problems causing that symptom; weak starter, bad connections, weak battery, carboned up engine internals, bad gas...

 

[Ziffdaddy]

Sorry to highjack, but, with an F.5, non USA dist., head shaved about 50 thou, and running 91 octane, does it make sense that I seem to be able to keep advancing the timing? As long as she doesn't ping in the FSM test (fourth gear 20mph and step on it) am I good?

Highjack over, thanks guys!

 

[fireflyr]

fireflyr u r right about that
but it will kind-of stop in mid rotation on statup which isnt good I think its off a tooth my question is which way should I move it one tooth?

I think you go back to the FSM instructions and make sure the distr. rotor is facing the #4 spark plug and lined up with the #1 spark plug wire on the cap. Like I said, it has been a while so maybe someone like Pinhead can pipe in. I would make sure all of your initial settings are correct.
If you haven't pulled your distr. this most likely isn't the cause. When I installed my HEI distr. and the timing was off it did the same thing, I just can't remember if it was too advanced or retarded.

 

[FJ40Jim]

Sorry to highjack, but, with an F.5, non USA dist., head shaved about 50 thou, and running 91 octane, does it make sense that I seem to be able to keep advancing the timing? As long as she doesn't ping in the FSM test (fourth gear 20mph and step on it) am I good?

Yes.
Yes.