QuestionQUESTION: I have an old (1963) ford F-600. with a 292 cu. in. engine. While I am vaguely familiar with adjusting valves from my VW days many moons ago, it seems the V8 is
a different animal. I tried adjusting the valves by turning the engine to TDC for each cylinder but the cylinder that was in firing position at TDC as indicated by the distributor rotor via the spark plug wire (Yes the rotor was seated.) was not in the
correct firing order for the engine. Furthermore, in some instances the firing order
"correct Cylinder" was obviously not in firing position. as one of the valves was
open. Can you straighten me out here?
ANSWER: You are just looking at something wrong. It is the same as you remember.
Make sure you are rotating engine the right direction and then instead of using rotor, center piston at TDC by watching the intake valve fully seat. You can then adjust those valves and rotate to next cylinder.
Let me know if that is not clear.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hello Tazz.... Sorry to be so long in getting back, I'm a weekend warrior living at
6000 ft where winter is holding on. What I was missing/forgetting was the fact that
each piston fires once per every 2 revolutions. I was turning the motor 1 full
revolution to place each piston in firing position, hence the confusion. Anyway, since
I have your ear, so to speak, check me out. I got the engine to TDC and #1 in firing
position, adjusted its valves, then turned the engine approximately 90∘to each
succeeding cylinder. Did I do good? The valve cover gaskets were the wrong size
and I had to special order the right size so if you detect error, I can still remedy it
easily.
Onto a different matter, I am having the carb rebuilt (Holley 4 barrel governor style).
What can you tell me about re-installing it and how to tune it to the truck.
Also, is there a manual you would recommend over all others. A specific manual
for this old truck is not available as far as I've been able to ascertain but a good
general manual for Ford pickups of this vintage (63) would probably suffice for what
I want to do on this thing, however there are some kinks such as the brakes are
vacuum assist. Thanks.
AnswerOn the timing, I only trust the valve positions, but you should be fine your way.
Tuning the Holley. You must set the floats to the overflow port, then adjust mixture screws to obtain the max vacuum on an intake port. Adjusting each a little and going back and forth between the two. Another thing people don't check is the "throw". Make sure that the travel of your leakage on the gas pedal matches the travel of ther throttle arm. With pedal on the floor, throttle should be wide open.
Chilton's makes a year range manual for your truck.
