Does anyone else have this issue with timing?

[Terrorist 5.0]

Hi everyone, was watching some YouTube videos of Foxes and SN95s accelerating, and got to thinking how I can make mine a little faster by solving the one problem this car has given me the whole time I’ve owned it.

My car is running pretty fantastic as it is, but I have a weird issue with timing. When I went to do a cap and rotor for the first time, my smart ass knew the firing order already and yanked the wires off the cap without looking. When I went to put the new ones on in the correct order and start the car, it would barely run. I had the order right, but turns out the car itself was messed up.

1 is where 6 should be on the cap. It is backwards. The order is effectively 65481372. This must mean something mechanically is in backwards. I believe the distributor is 180 out and the previous owner just decided to put the wires backwards to fix it instead of repositioning the distributor properly.

Regardless, I can still adjust ignition timing. My issue is that even though I am running the highest octane I can get, my car will start to ping at anything over 9 degrees BTDC. The car has no vacuum leaks, this has been confirmed multiple times, the IAT and MAF are both clean and clocked properly, and seem to be within range when checked with a multimeter (IAT), the TPS works fine (checked with a multimeter), the car is not running hot or warm, I SeaFoamed it (which barely helped in all honesty), I gapped the plugs right, I just can’t seem to figure it out. I’ve left it as is, but as I am sitting here with nothing to do, I have to ask. Has anyone else had this problem?

I know SN95 5.0L GT’s have a pinging problem that has been well documented, but I feel this isn’t normal. I also understand that the SN95 5.0L computer differs from the Foxbody computer in that it doesn’t use a set table for WOT. It doesn’t go open loop. It still reads O2 sensors. I plan on cleaning them to see if any improvement will show, but does anyone have any idea on any steps I should take? Thanks everyone.

 

[RAU03MACH]

Can you find top dead center then work it from there

 

[RAU03MACH]

That's would be on #1cyl

 

[Terrorist 5.0]

Can you find top dead center then work it from there

I cannot for a while until I return from vacation but last time I did I believe the rotor was pointing to where 1 would be on the cap. This was when I originally was chasing my tail when I did the cap and rotor for the first time.

 

[RAU03MACH]

Ok
This is to see if you are timed correctly
Piston should be at the top on 1
Rotor should be on1
Plug wire should be 1ond cap and #1 cylinder

 

[RAU03MACH]

Regular time is 10 degrees. btc

 

[Terrorist 5.0]

Ok
This is to see if you are timed correctly
Piston should be at the top on 1
Rotor should be on1
Plug wire should be 1ond cap and #1 cylinder

Yup, got that part, this is as far as my memory goes. I will check again when I return. So yes, TDC cylinder 1 compression stroke, the rotor was facing number 1 on the cap. 10 BTDC is factory spec. If I wire it correctly, the car will run rough and backfire through the intake. Again this is from memory from over a year ago, but assuming that I remembered correctly, do you have another course of action?

 

[ttocs]

why is the firing order backwards?

 

[RAU03MACH]

check spark plug wire make sure in proper order
check plug gap
timing chain could be off mark for timing
check some of this stuff first

 

[Terrorist 5.0]

check spark plug wire make sure in proper order
check plug gap
timing chain could be off mark for timing
check some of this stuff first

Plug wires are in order, plugs were gapped to .054 IIRC, I was thinking the same on the timing chain, will check for slop when I return.

 

[ttocs]

it sounds like you either somehow have the cap on backwards or the dist upside down if your firing order is 65841372? I would start off fixing that to ensure you don't have a wire to the wrong place

 

[Terrorist 5.0]

it sounds like you either somehow have the cap on backwards or the dist upside down if your firing order is 65841372? I would start off fixing that to ensure you don't have a wire to the wrong place

The cap has a locating notch which only allows it to go on one way. I may pull the distributor and place it back correctly, but to be 100 percent honest, I’m not sure if that will change anything. The car runs pretty much perfect, I’m just trying to see if I can advance the timing a little more. The way I see it, either way I am hooking the timing light to the #1 cylinder. Would it really change anything if I took the distributor out and put it back in properly you think?

I genuinely don’t know, but I will likely do that when I return.

 

[ttocs]

ensure the motor is at TDC and then reseat the dist and ensure it is pointing at #1.

 

[RAU03MACH]

your pinning problem is timing you need to advance timing

 

[94IndyPace]

Are you removing the spout connector when trying to time it

 

[Terrorist 5.0]

Are you removing the spout connector when trying to time it

I am removing the spout when adjusting timing yes.

 

[Terrorist 5.0]

your pinning problem is timing you need to advance timing

You want me to advance the timing when it is pinging? This would cause it to ping more no?

 

[07GtS197]

If you have the stock balancer it could’ve slipped showing the wrong timing. It’s been known to happen.

Also every 302 is different. A bunch of foxbody guys run 10-14* no problem. The 302 in my 90 Grand Marquis will ping with anything over 8*. And it has lower compression.

 

[RAU03MACH]

that or add octan booster

 

[RAU03MACH]

My pinging noise was a chain hitting the cover