Pinto Car Club of America

Does anyone know the proper timing for a 78 2.3 pinto? It has a racing cam, ported intake and 230cfm holley 2bbl if that makes a difference. Thanks for the help!

I would set it at a nice safe 10*.  Drive it hard.  Ping?  No!  Set it at 12*.  Ping?  No!  Repeat +2* until it pings, then back off to last non-pinging setting.

My $.02 for the month.

Mike

So, I'll set it at 10 and try. I don't understand what you mean by ping though (I've never timed an engine before) Thanks for the advice!

10* is most likely the best bet depending on what octane fuel you plan on using. That can vary too depending on if the head has been shaved, ect. What Mike means by "pinging" is what some people think is the valves rattling on a pull. Let the engine lug down a bit in high gear like right before you would downshift and listen for "pinging". If it does, you need more octane or less timing.  :)

Quote from: geoff104 on October 25, 2009, 05:30:22 PM
Does anyone know the proper timing for a 78 2.3 pinto? It has a racing cam, ported intake and 230cfm holley 2bbl if that makes a difference. Thanks for the help!

Mine says +6.

On my modified engines, I usually set timing at 36-38 degrees total mechanical advance. You'll need a dial back timing light or a degreed pulley for this method though. JT