Timing light question

I've got a timing light where I can set the degrees advance.
On the Mercury, this 390 a 0(a white chalk line) mark on the harmonic balancer and a stationary "fork" indicator that has 0, 3, 8, 10. The manual calls for 8degrees initial advance. I took the timing light, left the adjustment on 0 and adjust the distributor until the 0 mark was at the 8 point on that stationary "fork".
I think the timing is now set at 8 degrees initial, but want to double check that I am not making some incorrect assumption.

My next question is a timing light one. If I set the advance on the light to 8, should it then flash so I see the 0 mark on the balancer at the 0 indicator on the "fork"?

 

As long as your balancer is in good shape and the rubber hasn't shifted, yes you are correct.

 

Good deal. I need to more closely examine the balancer to make sure that is the 0 mark.

 

Pull #1 plug ,crank motor by hand to TDC compression stroke and see how marks line up.

 

In theory that seems straight forward, but I am not sure I can get a socket and wrench in there to rotate the crank.

 

If the car starts easy the your probably ok. The rubber on harmonic balancer on old Fords usually doesn't slip. I've never seen it on my old cars that have been built from junk yard parts for alot of years. usually a 15/16 " socket and breaker will turn motor just remember always clockwise as not to loosen the bolt. Probably just as easy as trying to visually inspect it. To me it sounds like your good and are at 8* Did you plug the vacumm advance when you made adjustment?

 

I unhooked it, but did not plug it.

 

Suonds like you'll be ok. Depending on carb it doesn't always matter. If the engine wasn't stumbling from vacuum leaking then your good. Some only have vacumm advance when throttle is opened and start on the mechanical then use vacuum till WOT. The ford carb should only have one vacumm port if 2bbl and your ok. On my brothers 390 we set it at sweet spot between 6* and 8* but his has a cam and 4bbl.

 

Honestly, I haven't used a timing light in years. I use a vacuum gauge to set idle air screws, then advance timing until I get it to ping under a heavy load. Then back it off a smidgen.

 

sound good I like to go by ear if you turn it one way and it sounds like its off then turn it slow till it sounds good sutt it down if it starts right up ur on then just for fun see if its a 8 or whats your points set at just my back yard ways love our fords

 

I'm trying to improve the mileage as well as try and get a little more go go.
I need to pick up a vacuum gauge to try and get the idle mix set right as well.

 

Just wondering what grade or octane gas you are using.This will be a big factor with the old 390's. They never was great for gas milage. I have worked as a mechanic for nearly 50 years and followed your last post on cold start and this one on timing. You need to double check ignition system, fuel, then the fine tuning. Sort of like starting at sguare one. Timing lights and vacuum gauges will do the fine tuning.

 

I use 87 since it isn't a hi comp engine. The mileage is around 10mpg and that makes me think something is not quite right. I don't expect too much better, but 10 seems way low, I'd expect maybe around 13-15.
Although now I am typing this out, the car originally had 14" rims on it and now it has 15". I have no idea if the speedo/odo where adjusted to compensate.

 

I had only two new Fords. Both supercab trucks. The 1975 had a shiny 390. The 1977 had a 460. In town, highway, up hill, and down, even parked, I averaged 9-10 MPG. Pulling various RV's I got 9 MPG.
My 440 Dodge class A motorhome got 9 MPG avearage. My hemi Dodge truck gets 9MPG pulling a mid sized RV and 14+ town and country. Some engines suck fuel no matter what you do to them.

 

No mater what the design of that motor if it's in the 63 that is in your garage it will require a higher octane. This will help your mileage somewhat. The cars of the 60's were made for the higher grade of fuel. Best case from my 63 Merc with 390 I had in the 60's was 12mpg. and it was a 2-door sedan a lot lighter than your wagon. The octane rating effects performance , operating temps and mileage.