Timing

[Greg Humniski 0]

I’ve been trying to set timing on my stock 302 , 2V. I see the timing light on 6 D BTDC, as I tighten the distributor nut the timing starts to go down toTDC, to keep it at 6D BTDC, I have to twist the distributor ahead???

[aslanefe 333]

6 hours ago, Greg Humniski said:

I’ve been trying to set timing on my stock 302 , 2V. I see the timing light on 6 D BTDC, as I tighten the distributor nut the timing starts to go down toTDC, to keep it at 6D BTDC, I have to twist the distributor ahead???

If tightening drops the timing 6 degrees, set it to 12 than tighten; it should drop to 6 when tight. But I find 6 as not enough timing on my stock 302s. 

[1969_Mach1 333]

Have you removed the hold down clamp and looked closely at the dist. housing where the clamp contacts?  There might be some kind of indentation in the housing from the clamp which is why tightening the nut moves the timing.  Also, like aslanefe mentioned, 6 deg. BTDC base timing is usually not enough for small block Ford's.  Most start at 10 deg. BTDC as long as that doesn't created too much total timing, then adjust from there as needed.

[danno 128]

I have mine set to about 18 degrees.  As long as it does not ping when accelerating or run too hot, I understand 18 degrees is allowable.