Query on timing on my V8

[ThePinkPanther]

Hi guys, I'm not happy with the timing on my Ford 351 Windsor V8. It's had a lot of work done on it and first up is that the dizzy has never been taken out, turned on its base plate yes but not removed.

The biggest problem is that the timing marks on the harmonic balancer are in worse shape than the Dead Sea Scrolls!

After scratching, sanding, wire brushing etc. I have unearthed the following:

| | | BDC. Can't space these marks out but 30 is right below the centre one!
30

I guess that is the thirty degrees BEFORE (TOP) DEAD CENTRE?

Cant see any other way to read it ............

To the left of the thirty markings there is nothing but corrosion and from a picture I have found of this same balancer as mine, I assume there would be a TWENTY, TEN and the elusive TDC line - nonexistent!

I'm assuming the scale markings would be the same so with a lot of effort I can probably measure "back up the marks" with a pair of dividers and maybe find the TDC line, maybe!

However, by peering into the No 1 spark plug hole, and with a bit of wire, I can see the piston is pretty close to TDC as I have it positioned now, few degrees out at most!

But through pure stupidity I forgot to mark the position of the dizzy before I started to adjust it by hand and now the motor is quite difficult to start and somewhat underpowered.

Is there enough info here for you guys to point me in the right direction to fix this up? I guess I should hand turn the engine to get it set about TEN DEGREES before TDC?

Distributors, timing and carbs are not my strong points! For what it's worth I have a pretty good timing light........

Thanks all!

[bugman]

Might not help but I took my boat to an old time carby/timing specialist at Tweed recently - Ross at Carbo tune.
He sets points by sight and they were nearly dead on but also has all the electronic timing gear to diagnose issues. He made my old donk run better than it ever has.
I'm taking the mustang down to him in the new year. It also has a 351 Windsor. It's a crate motor and only done 15000 kms so may not be the same as you.
He's been doing the same thing to performance motors for 40 years.
Brett

[Gon Fishun]

Google it PP. There is a lot of info for 351 Windsor's. And different timing setup's.

[ThePinkPanther]

Google it PP. There is a lot of info for 351 Windsor's. And different timing setup's.

I have mate but always come back here for decent advice!