I just replaced the stock ignition in my 76 E250 460 CID engine with
a complete MSD wire set, billit distributor, blaster 2 coil and 6Al
module. The instructions say to start with setting the timing to the
factory specs The shop manual I have says to find the timing specs on
a plate on the drivers door.. All I can see is the build day and year
on this decal and the VIN. I have no idea where to start from .. it
is running fine at idle .. but coughs and splutters and surges under
load. This is the latest change BTW... previous was Hooker headers,
planed heads, Eidelbrock intake and Eidelbrock carb, All ran super
until I screwed up the timing. With my timing light I can see a timing
mark but no reference point.. I expected to see a plate or something
marked off in degrees??

Hope someone can help??

cheers
Marv

Looks like it is listed here:
http://www1.autozone.com/az/cds/en_u...rInfoPages.htm
First graphic....click.
And it says that if the timing specification differs from what is listed on
this website that the sticker
spec should be used, as a change might have been made in the manufacturing.
And of course when your replacing the distributor, you bring the #1 cylinder
to TDC on compression stroke,
and then install the distributor so that the rotor points at the #1 terminal
on the distributor cap. >>>I think that is how it is done >>>>
Gregory
"Islander" <islander (AT) island (DOT) com> wrote

"Islander" wrote: ( 76 E250 460 CID )

I replaced the stock ignition with an MSD wire set, billet
distributor, blaster 2 coil and 6Al module. It runs fine
at idle but coughs and splutters and surges under load.
The instructions say to start by setting the timing to the
factory specs but I can't find the specs.

This is the latest change. Previous was Hooker headers,
planed heads, Edelbrock intake and Edelbrock carb. All
ran super until I screwed up the timing. With my timing
light I can see a timing mark but no reference point. I
expected to see a plate marked off in degrees?? I don't
know where to start. Can someone help??
_______________________________________________

Some engines have a timing mark on the vibration damper
and a graduated plate bolted to the front of the engine.
Some engines have a timing mark on the vibration damper
with graduations also on the vibration damper and a
pointer sticking out of the front of the engine. Examine
the front of the engine until you find which arrangement
you have. Look up your timing specs on the internet.

The engine is nearly at the right timing because it idles okay.
It may be becoming too far retarded when the vacuum
drops under load. If that is the case, here is a way to set
the timing without the specs and without a light:

1.) Loosen the distributor holddown bolt just enough to
be able to rotate the distributor by hand.

2.) Apply the throttle (by hand of foot) until the engine
is running fast and smooth at about 1500 RPM. Snap the
throttle wide open for one second, then let it drop to idle.

3.) If the engine breaks up at wide open throttle, then
rotate the distributor to add a little advance (turn it the
opposite direction of the rotor travel).

4.) Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until the engine no longer
breaks up, then repeat some more until you hear the
RPMs rise the fastest under full throttle.

5.) Tighten the holddown bolt.

Note:

This method provides the maximum power timing you will
get from the engine, but you may have to ease it back:

a.) During the full throttle condition, if you hear gas knock
(preignition) back off the advance until it just disappears.

b.) When returning to idle, if the engine runs rough, back
off the advance until the roughness just disappears.

Good luck.

Rodan.

On Sat, 05 May 2007 02:44:16 GMT, "Rodan" <Rodan (AT) verizon (DOT) NOT> wrote:



Thanks you 2 boh of he replies.. Just what I figured on doiing..
Ping timing.. keep advancing till I hear ping.. while drivin under
load.. then back off a bit then a bit more untill ok idle..

So much for all this high teck stuff .. just tune it by ear.

thanks gang.

cheers
Marv
..