87 Ranger 2.3 Ignition Timing

[Mr.Hotrod]

What is the correct way to set the ignition timing? When i bought the truck for $150 0-60 would take a 1 minute foot to the floor, not joking. I just turned the dizzy until i felt it was set right but i still feet its not correct because it doesn't start up right away and the gas smells funny when its cranking over.

 

[RonD]

Timing light on #1 plug wire, set at 10deg BTDC

With the age of the truck I would check the exhaust system for blockage, usually bad cat converter.
Disconnect cat, wire it up out of the way and try running it that way, yes loud, but if power is back you found at least one problem
Blocked exhaust will make for hard starts and very poor acceleration.

Fuel regulator will have a vacuum line on it, it is located on the fuel injector rail.
Remove this vacuum line and smell it for gas, the diaphragm in the regulator can leak and the vacuum line sucks raw fuel into the intake.
That can give you a gas smell.
Usually you would see gray/black exhaust smoke if this happens.

A clogged fuel return line can give you a gas smell as well.


What do the spark plugs look like?
Rich
Normal