Hey I am trying to set the timing with a timing light on my 94 5.0. What is the timing setting ?

 

Stock is 10BTDC. W/ the SPOUT Plug removed. Alot of people like to advance a bit more. Engine health permitting!

 

Why would you advance it and what do you mean engine health ?

 

more base timing gives you more off the line power...

engine health = how well it was taken care of...too much timing on a poor system will rattle like crazy and eventually kill something...mine was factory 10 degrees and I am running 16 degrees

 

Yep,yep, and yep! If you don't know what constitutes a healthy engine & you don't like riding the bus, stay w/ stock base timing or maybe 12 BTDC at the most. If your not familiar w/ Ping, stick w/ 10 BTDC! And 87 octane. If it pings at 10 BTDC & 87 octane you have an unhealthy engine.

 

I must be lucky....I am at 16 and run 87 octane and I have yet to hear it ping...I have even gave it the lugging test...still nothing...tells me either it can tolerate more or compression (cylinder health) is lower than normal....

Alas I am not motivated enough to do a compression test..at 22mpg who really cares right...?

 

Good point, though if your computer was up to task you should never really hear it pinging. The knock sensor will retard the timing slightly long before it becomes noticeable. Since your running regular unleaded and getting good mileage I would not worry about the compression of the engine until it becomes hard to start.

 

You sir, have a heathy engine. 16BTDC also seems to be my sweet spot. I will go up to 89 oct. for my Oregan runs, but that's w/ tools, luggage & a Harley strapped to the bed, A/C on at 80-85 mph. I still get 17 mpg. I always thought that w/87 octane, The further your engine allows advance, the healthier the engine. However, after 16 BTDC, I find a diminishing return in further advancement. Ain't worth it. Maybe because w/ the exception of an Ignition system upgrade, it's a stock engine. Nothing better than getting better than factory spec MPG w/a $10. set of plugs!

 

Compression isn't that big a deal if the cylinders all degradate at the same rate. The problem arises when some of the cylinders loose compression at an excellerated rate. In this case an agressive base time advance is not advisable.