i was going to set my timing to 13* but found that when i took my car to my friend at ford, he set the timing to 15*. i have been running on 15* with 87 octane for a couple of months now. there was been no pinging and no predetination noise. for more power, should i go a little more advanced and run on a higher octane. i remember when i first became a member here, some one or a couple of people talked about setting timming to 19*. is that too much? if 15* is ok with 87 octane, how far can i go with 89 octane? with 91 octane? they dont sell higher then 91 octane at most gas stations in california (by most i mean all but 1). there is one gas station not to far from here that sells 110 octane from a standard pump

 

personally i wouldnt go higher than like 12 or so on a stock motor, not a whole lot of need to go real high on timing, just doesnt do a whole of for you and when you stay lower, you dont have to worry (detentation, pinging, which octane)...bolt on mods will help a stock motor more than timing, well depends....but anyway 19 is crazy high, running higher timing wears your motor a little fast, you have to think that they set the factory timing for a reason... a little higher is alright for a stocker, but dont need to until you are making some ponies

 

Lucky13, this is where spending time on a dyno will come in handy.
On the dyno, you will know where to set the timing for the best power. Mine made the most power at 15*. We tried higher, but the hp # came down.
Note that I said "MY" motor made it's best power at 15*. That doesn't mean yours will. Every motor is different. Get some dyno time, then you will "know" where to set "your" timing.

 

Most ALL 5.0's make the most power at 14 - 15* initial timing, reguardless of mods. No way you can run an actual 14* on 87 octane, its not possible - period. If your not getting detonation with 87 octane then either you can't hear it or your not at 14* (as in your balancer has slipped). Set your engine at TDC (using the #1 piston, not the balancer) and see where the marks line up to be sure.

 

i know what pinging sounds like, i had it bad with my ranger.

my friend at the dealership set it to what it is. i said set it for performace, and thats how it came back