The Ford Barn

bonanza7369 · 05-24-2017, 11:58 AM

What should the initial timing be set at for a 56 ford 292 with manual trans. service manual says 6 degrees for ford-o-matic but footnote says all 292 with standard trans. 10 degrees. In the ignition section of the service manual it says all 6&8 cyl engines with standard trans. 3 degrees. CONFUSION?

Hot Rod Reverend · 05-24-2017, 12:22 PM

confusing verbiage from the 50s notwithstanding, with the combination of today's fuel blends, makeup of ignition parts you have installed, etc you will find that following the manual on timing will only give you a baseline. As a general rule, Y blocks run better with quite a bit more initial timing than "stock".

paul2748 · 05-24-2017, 08:01 PM

I have two YBlock cars (both 312's) and they seem to like 10-12 degrees initial.

Ole Don · 05-25-2017, 08:26 AM

Time a Y block with a vacuum gauge for best results.

bonanza7369 · 05-25-2017, 10:24 AM

thanks guys

Grumpy Rick · 05-25-2017, 10:59 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Don,

Never timed with a vacuum guage. Am I looking for highest vac?

Rick

Dodge · 05-25-2017, 11:02 AM

Highest vacuum then back off about 2 inches of vacuum.

dmsfrr · 05-25-2017, 11:50 AM

Set the points correctly before adjusting the timing, I prefer using a dwell meter if you have one, and plug the vacuum line from the carb.
Highest vacuum should be in the neighborhood of 19 to 20+ inches (with a stock cam).
If you get any ping/knock in the engine with hard acceleration (sounds like rattling marbles),
back off the advance a degree or two at a time until the noise goes away.

.

05-24-2017, 11:58 AM	#1
bonanza7369 Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 38	engine timing What should the initial timing be set at for a 56 ford 292 with manual trans. service manual says 6 degrees for ford-o-matic but footnote says all 292 with standard trans. 10 degrees. In the ignition section of the service manual it says all 6&8 cyl engines with standard trans. 3 degrees. CONFUSION?

05-24-2017, 12:22 PM	#2
Hot Rod Reverend Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lancaster, CA Posts: 916	Re: engine timing confusing verbiage from the 50s notwithstanding, with the combination of today's fuel blends, makeup of ignition parts you have installed, etc you will find that following the manual on timing will only give you a baseline. As a general rule, Y blocks run better with quite a bit more initial timing than "stock". __________________ Lancaster, California Visit hotrodreverend.com to view hundreds of pictures and videos of the build of the 1955 Ford Club Sedan!

05-24-2017, 08:01 PM	#3
paul2748 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Midland Park, NJ Posts: 3,982	Re: engine timing I have two YBlock cars (both 312's) and they seem to like 10-12 degrees initial. __________________ 48 Ford Conv 56 Tbird 54 Ford Victoria

05-25-2017, 08:26 AM	#4
Ole Don Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St. Michael, Minnesota Posts: 1,713	Re: engine timing Time a Y block with a vacuum gauge for best results.

05-25-2017, 10:24 AM	#5
bonanza7369 Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 38	Re: engine timing thanks guys

05-25-2017, 10:59 AM	#6
Grumpy Rick Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: SoCal Posts: 200	Re: engine timing Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Don, Never timed with a vacuum guage. Am I looking for highest vac? Rick

05-25-2017, 11:02 AM	#7
Dodge Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Sonoma, CA. Posts: 1,495	Re: engine timing Highest vacuum then back off about 2 inches of vacuum.

05-25-2017, 11:50 AM	#8
dmsfrr Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Abq, NM Posts: 3,607	Re: engine timing Set the points correctly before adjusting the timing, I prefer using a dwell meter if you have one, and plug the vacuum line from the carb. Highest vacuum should be in the neighborhood of 19 to 20+ inches (with a stock cam). If you get any ping/knock in the engine with hard acceleration (sounds like rattling marbles), back off the advance a degree or two at a time until the noise goes away. . Last edited by dmsfrr; 05-25-2017 at 03:37 PM.