does anyone know what the timing should be set at for a 1978 ford truck with a 400m? also what oil pressure range should it be in? thanks
Howdy, Good ol' Mr. Chilton says: Timing "Should be set to specifications shown on engine decal" not much help I guess Oil Pressure "50 - 75" I'm guessing lbs/inch? doesn't specify firing order is different than all the others though, but same as 351 & W 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 maybe that helps, Robert
Everything is chrome and painted, i just bought it and installed a new cam and timing chain, i have no idea what the timing should be!, i got it running but would like to know where it should be for sure, oil pressure is about 10lbs while revving, 0 at idle, but it has some oil pressure because it isnt clunking and making wierd noises
Ford used 6* BTDC initial timing for alot of years on alot of motors, so I would start there. Then add timing in 2* increments until it just starts to ping, back it up a couple of degrees and lock it down. This method works well if you dont want to tear the distributor apart and re-curve it. According to Chilton's 71-78 Truck manual oil pressure should be 50-75 LBS.
Don't know for sure but the timing is likely around 12 BTDC with the advance unplugged. Is the oil guage mechanical or electrical. If it is electrical you may have a defective sending unit hiving you false readings.
thats what i thought too, i put a mechanical gauge in and confimed my electrical gauge is still good, i guess i will pull the oil pan and install a hv-hp oil pump.
