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1997 F-350 with 460 engine.

D

davida

Member
I need some help. This truck is running a little warm from time to time, especially when pulling a hill. I have went through the cooling system a few times.

I have moved on to check the ignition timing, the manual says to check the sticker under the hood, the sticker under the hood says the timing is not adjustable and is computer controlled. This is not true since it has the same basic distributor running off of a cam shaft with a rotor and distributor cap.

Anyone know what the timing should be set on at idle for this truck. After cleaning up the makings on the balancer it seams to be 25 degrees BTDC, I did not think this was right, set it back to 10 degrees BTDC and lost all sorts of power. This was with the truck warm and at idle speed.

Thanks for any help.
 
I do not know about the timing, but I would check to make sure the CAT is not plugged. My 1990 F250 with the 460 melted the CAT in under 90,000 miles.
 
I have no experience with the newer computer 460's, but my 91 chevy 3500 with 454 has a wire on the firewall that must be unplugged to disable the automatic advance in the computer. This wire must remain unplugged until the initial idle timing is set.
Someone must know if Ford uses a similar setup.
 
make sure you unplug the "spout connector" before you check timing.It sets it to base timing ,when plugged back in ,computer controls timing .
 
Basic timing is set by the computer itself - so no matter if you turn the distributor 5 degrees one way or the other, the computer will compensate for this change in timing. Look closely at the rotor - it's pretty wide on the end. All the computer cares about is that there be a certain degree range of contact between the end of the rotor and any one plug terminal in the cap.

I've just done an analysis of a 4.0L AMC engine by compensating an aftermarket camshaft gear to its original distributor. The distributor (non-adjustable timing) had to be mounted 25 degrees CW in order to function to this new camshaft (AT NO. 1 TDC). As for TIMING the 4.0L engine - the computer takes care of this, and NO AMOUNT OF FIDDLING WITH IT WILL ALTER ENGINE TIMING.

Just as long as that rotor is DEAD on the NUMBER 1 CYLINDER AT TDC, the computer will handle this timing ITSELF. It also controls advance and retard based on environmental and other physical conditions.

Put the distributor EXACTLY where you found it.
 
If you didn't pull the timing plug then you have it timed wrong. With the timing plug out 10 degrees before is what it is suppose to be.

Then, put a new radiator on it.
 
When my 460 starts to heat up the fan clutch engages and the fan runs fast until it cools down. A roaring sound indicates the clutch has engaged.Does yours do this?
 
There is a plug (spout connector) in the wiring harness near the distributor. Pull the plug out of the harness, and the base timing should be at 10 at warm idle. You can probably go 12 degrees if you are using good gas. Plug it back in and you're done. The computer will control the timing, but only within a certain range.
 
several years ago I had an '84 F-250 with the 300 inch 6 popper and it ran hot all the time. I tried everything - new thermostat - cleaned rad inside and out - new water pump - new fan clutch - etc. Took it to my dad who wrenched for a living and he said put on a new rad cap. I laughed at him but that cured my problem. The old cap didn't build pressure like it was supposed to. After that the truck could sit and idle all day in temps over 100 OR pull a good size load with air-co on and it never overheated again. good luck!!
 
Well i am not up on the 97 460 but i had a 88 with a 460 in it and to set timing you had to unplug a little blue plastic plug in the wiring harness by the dist. before you set the curb timing and mine on the 88 set at 10 degrees and when you put it back in it would got to 35 degrees BTDC but i ran mine at 36 degrees and i ran hightest back then in it . so you may want to ask a ford mechanic that might know i can't even call any of my old friends and ask as they are all out of the dealerships now .
 
Thanks guys, I found the connector, next to the fire wall. The timing is at 10 degrees BTDC with it unpluged, around 25 with it pluged up.

I figured there was something about the 10 degrees BTDC because it has a different mark on it than any other.

I guess the timing is correct. Now to replace the radiator cap, the temp sensor for the computer and go from there, maybe a lower temp thermostat?

This truck does loose a little water, but is 12 year old and only has 80,000 miles on it. I hope that half a gallon a year I put in it is being evaporated and not leaking though a head gasket. It has never been ran hot but a head gasket could still be part of the problem, hope not.

The radiator has been checked and flows fine so I don't think I need a new one.

Since this truck sits in the barn next to my 2 tractors and is usually used with one of them. I thought I could ask and get the answers I needed for the truck here.

Thanks again.
 
Rob, the 4.0L and the 460 have two completely different ignition systems. The 4.0 does not and never did have a distributor. The 4.0 uses the EDIS 6 system. They are completely timed by a crank position sensor. The 460 does not have a crank position sensor and uses TFI style ignition. As others have said, you must set base timing with the SPOUT connector disconnected and rotate the distributor as required.
 
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