Ford Timing and Timing light

[ldtopham]

Can anyone recommend a dial type timing light that is compatible with an MSD ignition set up. Apparently the Capacitor discharge can affect some timing lights? I was hoping to get one for under £50??

Also one for Ford tech heads, I have run my cam in and set the carb up some where near (the best I could without dyno help). I set the timing at 10 BTDC and total is 36 @ 4000rpm. It idles fine nice lope, and responds real crisp. I cannot drive it yet (long way to go yet!) just wondered if my timing figures sound reasonable? I built the engine myself researching as I was building just aren't right sure on the effects if timing adjustments.
All comments welcomed.

Engine specs,
Ford 351c +0.030
KB hyper 177 pistons
Comp cams 270H installed straight up.
2V open chambers heads (2v closed chambers sat under bench just waiting!)
comp ration 10:1
MSD ignition 6AL, pro billet dizzy, blaster 2 coil
750 carb
1 3/4 headers.

[ldtopham]

Oh I borrowed a timing light for the initial set up. Time I bought my own!
Also I have a bag of adj bushes and springs for the MSD dizzy, it is currently running straight from the box.
Cheers,

[gd02 cob]

I just went out and bought an MSD light, the silver one. It cost me around £70.

Those timing details sound fine, well at least for the SBC, as they equate exactly with mine, except my total comes in around 3200rpm.

Nick

[ldtopham]

Where did you buy the MSD light? I have seen lots on US sites but none here in blightly?

Thanks,

[gd02 cob]

You need MSD Timing Light # MSD8990 which you can get from Wisbech American Street & Performance ( WASP ) Tele 01945 588091 Speak to Chris.

Cheers,

Nick

[wilf]

My Gunsons super strobe thingy (does dwell/rpm etc as well) with dial-back advance works OK on my MSD set up.

Lee - your timing figures are OK ish, I might possibly cut back a couple of degrees on the all in figure - 34 degrees is safer.

If you don't have a vac advance on the distributor, you might find it better to have more static timing and less mech advance, same all in total of course. This will much improve fuel consumption at small throttle openings (i.e. cruise).

You really should set up the all in advance figure on a dyno/rolling road for best power. Then let the static figure fall where it may. At some stage you will run into hot start problems if you let the static figure get too much BTDC. Mine seems quite happy at 16 degrees static, 34 all in at 3000. It did pick up a few BHP by going to 36%, but we were getting too close to detonation for comfort.
You can of course adjust your mech advance on that distributor with different size bushings.

[ldtopham]

Thanks for the replies, I will check out those lights and get one on order.
Wilf what is the detriment of leaving the advance till a later rpm as I have? What happens i ftotal timing is in at too early an rpm? I have a general understanding of ign timing and that is all. The same goes for the initial, too little =? and too much =? I will get it set up on a dyno eventually but made the mistake of using cast rings in my build so have to let it run in first. I am just trying to get it somewhere near for safe starting at home. I am some way from completeing the build. You are dead right with the 34 degs total. KB instructions warn against going over 34 degs due to piston top land fracture! Again don't know how timing causes it but I certainly don't want it happening to mine!

Experienced carb icing first hand this morning too, gazing down the holley (throwing fivers down to be exact) and noticed ice forming over the butterflies followed by a rough high idle. Raiseed the idle and managed to clear it.

Also is it normal for the carb fuel pressure gauge to drop after a while? I have around 6 - 7 psi and it first fires up but after 10 mins or so it stabalizes at 3 psi with no rise when you blip the throttle?

I can't take credit for the side pipes, a mate built them for me top job too! I did make the headers myself though (couldn't interest my mate in that job). Quite satisfying now...wasn't at the time I was building them though!
119.7db at 3000rpm sounds the mutts nuts. Don't think SVA man would quite agree?
Check out the side pipe rear mounting........nothing like the smell of burning oak wood!!

[wilf]

Lee - it is a general rule of thumb for Ford small blocks that they work best with the timing all in by 3000 rpm. The reason is down to flame front propagation speeds apparently.

Now I am not 100% sure if this holds for Clevelands, it may well be worth asking on a Cleveland Forum. I will ask for you as well from some US friends who run Clevelands.

[ldtopham]

I have tried to post on http://www.network54.com/Forum/119419 but for some reason it's not letting me??
Cheers Wilf,

[Purple AK]

Lee.

Your Post is there :thumb: