Hello everyone,
Here's my problem. I have a 1991 GT 5.0 and I have never changed the timing on it. I have heard that you have to remove the plug in the electrical connection at the base of the distributor to change the base timing. Is this true? If it is, I tried this earlier today because I have heard that if you set your base timing to 14* on a stock vehicle it should be about a 10-15 HP increase. When I set it to 14* Initial timing (without the plug in) I drove it and it pinged terribly, what's my problem? BTW, I run 91 Oct. so I dont think it is because of low octane in my fuel. Any help would be appreciated!

 

I'd check to see if your harmonic balancer outer ring hasn't slipped. What you need to do is bring your number one cylinder to top dead center by other means than looking at the harmonic balancer marks. You do this by taking the spark plug out and turn the engine until you hear the piston come up or put a screw driver into the spark plug hole until the piston hit. Then check to see if the mark you're using to time the engine is in fact at the right spot. Maybe when you do this, you'll realize that you were using the wrong mark on the tming chain cover! Simple mistake, hope this helps.

 

get some white out and mark the pully... thats what i gotta do... helps out alot...

 

I was actually looking for the answer of whether or not you have to take the plug out of the connector at the base of the distributor. Can someone help me out, I have also noticed that since I messed with the timing a little bit, it is running a little warmer. Not hot, just warmer, what should I do?

 

Yes you need to remove that connector. It's called the SPOUT connector. Spark output, different story though.

 

some people tell me when you run timming retarded it makes car run hotter, some people told me other way around.... when i had my t-bird and i advanced it, i noticed my temp droped..... whats the truth? anyone know?....... and yes you take that connector out, sorry for not mentioning it earlier lol

 

Well that's the thing... It was at about 9* and I put it to 10* and that's what it is at now, and it runs a little hotter than it did before. Noticably on my temp gauge... It doesn't get hot, it is just a little warmer. Is this normal?

 

excuse my ignorance......but how do i adjust timing?

 

On a 5.0 HO you adjust your timing by taking out the plug at the base of your distributor, loosening the distributor bolt at the bottom of the distributor, and turn it (your distributor) one way or another, but don't attempt to do this without a timing light or a mechanic handy as you can ruine your timing and blow head gaskets.

With a timing light, you hook the clamp to the #1 spark plug wire, and the positive and negative clamps go on either side of your battery, then you shine the flashing light onto your crank pulley where there will be dashes and numbers. Factory 5.0's are usually at a base timing of 10*, so when the light flashes, you should see a the number 10 at the tip of your timing pointer. If you stand at the front of the car on the passenger side, and look towards your crank pulley you should see what i'm talking about.

 

you remove the spout connector when you set the base timing and reinstall it after checking the timing one last time after you tighten the distributor hold down bolt to make sure the timing didn't move when you tightened the bolt down. 14 degrees is a bit too high to run on lower octane gas and not have it ping, especially if it's an older 5.0. either pump up the octane to keep it at 14 degrees or drop it back one degree at a time until it no longer pings under load and leave it there. and yes it is normal for the engine temp to change a bit when you change the timing, but usually not enough to get worried about it if you do it correctly.