RickRacer

Hey Guys, I want to recurve my 66 289 stock distributor for better performance, where do I start? I've got a Pertronic module in it now.

Do I keep the stock timing where it's at or can I bump it up a bit to around 12 then the mechanical to around 20 and have it all in around what rpm?

My motor is basically stock except for 4V intake/500cfm carb and headers, I was thinking recurving the distributor would give some added performance. I might even go buy a better distributor anyway so making the recurve job easier.

KULTULZ

FORDMUSCLE webmagazine: Timing is Everything - Distributor Curving for Maximum Power

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DISCLAIMER-

The above posted information is in my opinion only. It may contain copy and paste material(s). Your opinion(s) and mileage may vary.

bartlettracing

saved this ,good reading ....thanks

RickRacer

Thanks Kultulz! Didn't even know there was write up on that....good reading for sure.

How do you guys feel about one of Mallory's magnetic breakerless units with vacuum advance? I heard they're better then the Unilite now.

KULTULZ

There is a hellacious TECH SECTION here.

Even during my self imposed banishment, I referred to them often (even bought a membership one year).

If you are asking me about aftermarket distributors, I am not a good source. Only OEM and derivatives.

__________________
DISCLAIMER-

The above posted information is in my opinion only. It may contain copy and paste material(s). Your opinion(s) and mileage may vary.

RickRacer

After reading the article I decided to just re-curve my distributor and guess what....I can't find CRN-99606-1 vacuum advance kit! Crane has stopped making it for some reason.

So now I'm stuck unless anyone here has a kit to sell or I buy some newer distributor.

KULTULZ

The FORD OEM is adjustable. You will most likely have to find it in either STANDARD IGN or NIEHOFF.

__________________
DISCLAIMER-

The above posted information is in my opinion only. It may contain copy and paste material(s). Your opinion(s) and mileage may vary.

Mroldfart2U

No part no? Ya be slippin a bit there Kult...

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Cheap, Fast, Reliable... Pick 2...
'70 Mach1 351C 4v 4sp 4:56's Been abused sense '79, needing tlc
'61 Fairlane 500 292 2v Cruise-o-Matic also needing tlc

KULTULZ

...AW MAN...

Must I do everything?

__________________
DISCLAIMER-

The above posted information is in my opinion only. It may contain copy and paste material(s). Your opinion(s) and mileage may vary.

KULTULZ

Old Tech. Must not have sold enough to justify.

__________________
DISCLAIMER-

The above posted information is in my opinion only. It may contain copy and paste material(s). Your opinion(s) and mileage may vary.

Minn64Gal

In case others haven't mentioned this yet, here's Mr Gasket's spring kit offered at Summit:
Mr. Gasket Advance Curve Kits 925D - SummitRacing.com

You'll only need/want one of those springs --I'm pretty sure the 'timing' article mentions that as well. That's a nice reference piece!

I suggest picking up a vac advance at Napa (Echlin) if your old one is questionable, or just ratty looking. It's a nice quality part and adjustable. Another thing to look at is your breaker plate, altho the o.e. is a very stout part, they can get worn, more so if someone has been mean to it in the past. If it has been replaced with an el gypo one, I'd suggest going to a quality plate. .....but you didn't mention having any issues, just wanting to improve curve. You'll be checking all that out if you decide to 'flip' the cam around.

Have fun with it ! Norm

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Norm
1964 Gal 500 2dr sportsroof, 390, 4spd

RickRacer

Norm! You RULE!!! Thanks for telling me about the Mr. Gasket spring kit and vacuum advance unit from Napa.....you just saved me from buying an MSD or Mallory distributor.
With the saved money I can buy the 3:50 gears I need...

PSIG

A good reference, but not for it's title. I'm not bashing at all, but the title is misleading. Just a heads-up - that's a nice reference for operational description, but it does not tell you why you should set your timing at any particular value or curve. It should be re-titled "How Stock Ford Distributors Work". Due to this, the article's value is in understanding the mechanical function, and possibly for setting predetermined values on a stock engine with timing specs from the FSM.

"Initial between 10 and 20." So, 10 or 20? Or something in-between? What should my total timing be for my engine and fuel? How much vac advance do I need and when? Should it be all-in at 2200 or 2500 or what for my setup? When should the curve start? How do I determine all these answers?

In other words, the article tells you how your distributor works - but not what to set it at or why. That info is determined when tuning your setup for performance and the article does not help in discovering what to set your curve at for maximum power - or any other mode. Just be aware, as when you get out to your driveway with your timing light, those questions will come popping into your head. That's when you'll realize you now have an idea of how to set the numbers, but not what to set them at.

David

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-=≡ If it was easy everyone would do it ≡=-

Minn64Gal

My pleasure!

There's also a quick reference site on timing Ford distributors here:

Timing Tips for Ford Distributors

As David so aptly mentioned; These writings, such as these 2 mentioned, plus ones you'll find online and in books are great for giving you reference photos and some basic a-b-c's of timing, the parts involved, and a peek into the insides of a distributor, beyond just the breaker plate. It's nice to have as many tools, and right/quality parts, as possible, and info itself.... is a one of thee great tools.

I also see that O'Reillys stocks that spring kit, so if you have one near you, that saves you the add'l shipping at Summit. Here's the O'Reilly link:
Mr. Gasket 925D - Advance Curve Kit | O'Reilly Auto Parts

Enjoy all the reading up, and learning curve, pardon the pun! Norm

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Norm
1964 Gal 500 2dr sportsroof, 390, 4spd

RickRacer

When I read that article I was already thinking just how much timing and when it would all be in by what RPM right away. Simply guide lines to get you started for sure.

I'd start with the stock timing at 6* and have the new springs and vacuum advance unit added so all the timing would come in earlier and see how it drives. If there was no problems then I bump the stock timing up a few degrees at a time. I know from reading posts here some guys are good with 12* on the crank and 20* or so mechanical all coming in around 2500 rpm. I don't know if a stocked cammed 289 could handle 12* on the crank but I know it'll take more then 6*. As for adjusting the vacuum advance unit that might be difficult but there might be some instructions with the Napa unit. If need be I can take the distributor to a shop and have it recurved and know exactly what it's doing.

Of course that's after I polish the housing up to look better and we all know polished parts always add HP to any motor.....