DeTomaso Mailing List: July 2000, Message #1

That round thing is so that the auto shop can insert a sensor in the hole
for those automated machines.  You should have a bump or triangle shaped
area that is your timing pointer and it points to the numbers on the
balancer.  That round hole works with the sensor and the slot that is
machined all the way across the balancer.

Your hard starting is from too much timing advance.  Retard it about 5 to
10 degrees from there and you will be about right.

Dave "use a computer now" D

At 08:22 AM 6/30/00 -0400, you wrote:
>Does anyone have an explanation as to why there are in a sense two
>timing pointers on 351C engine? The one is rounded and has an eyelet
>through it which I have no idea it's use and Ford wouldn't go through
>the trouble of putting it on for no reason and then more to the right
>about an inch or so over facing the engine there is a second metal
>pointer so to speak. I'm using the top of the rounded one with eyelet
>for timing and its set at 10 degrees based on info on this forum but am
>I doing something wrong? The engine turns over fine after sitting over
>night but after 30 seconds on and shutting it off and restarting the
>condition appears like a bad battery. I have a new battery and my
>battery tester (leave on for 10 seconds and has a heating type element
>for simulated load) shows OK. I had the starter to a friend who rebuilds
>starters thinking that a bearing could be hanging up or something and it
>checks fine. The engine has about 60 miles since rebuild. Freshened up
>short block, quenched 4V heads, aluminum intake, Holley 650 DP, Ford
>electronic distributor, MSD 6AL, original headers and Ansa exhaust.
>Compression may be 10.5:1 only from what I've compared to others on the
>list and what they are quoting. I replaced the battery cable to starter
>with a 00 welders cable. I have 2 ground straps the one off of the ZF to
>frame and a second starter bolt to frame. The terminal posts are clean
>and tight (new battery). I could see if it wouldn't start after the
>engine heats up or over heats but the thermostat doesn't even open with
>this condition to exist. As you all know the car attracts SOOOOO much
>attention when parked that its embarrassing when you go to fire it up
>and you get this slow AAAH, AAAH, AAAH, sound and then it fires up. The
>car runs extremely well otherwise and IMHO is pretty quick. I'm pulling
>it out this weekend as the car is 45 miles away and I won't be close to
>a computer after this evening. I feel it's timing related but don't have
>the experience and knowledge so I'm looking at the forum for any
>suggestions/advice etc.
>Thanking you in advance and sorry for the lengthy post
>GEORGE
>
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