Timing for smog
Asked by bmatern2005 Mar 10, 2016 at 10:23 PM about the 1979 Ford Thunderbird
Question type: General
What should my timing be on my 351m? The smog Tech
said my timing should be at 14 butt the guy that built my
car engine set it to 8 which he said is the factory setting
what should I do?
12 Answers
14 degrees is pretty advanced. I have never seen a call-out for 14 degrees. 8 degrees sounds about right.
bmatern2005 answered 8 years ago
Thank you guys very much..I'm going to be to take it back to the smog shop and raise HELL..Because it passed all the test except for this functionality test which was the timing
You know because of the car being 31 years old, In some states a smog or emissions test would not apply anymore, or maybe if you got historical plate for it, emissions wouldn't have to be done. Something to check into. Also your re-builder is the one who would know what that timing is to be set at. If you are required to have a smog test, there was a guy on here who was failed continuously, long story short, the emissions guy was running a scam to bring in business to his own shop. Never the less, charges were brought up on him.
LOL,they do it for the money,the GOv makes money the mechanic makes money,and car dealers make money,which in turns,back to paying the Gov all the taxes from all in between.
bmatern2005 answered 8 years ago
Unfortunately I still do have to smog it I live in the state of California
On those, just make sure the air pump is working, and the egr system is all good also. EGR valve may not operate.
I'd try 10 degrees and reduce to 8 degrees if it pings. Engine must be at idle with the vacuum advance unit on the distributor disconnected and the vacuum line plugged.
