Timing Question
 

1986GT w/the mods listed below.

I recently found out that I've been trying to set my timing wrong. I was mistaking the TFI harness for the spout connector. Obviously, it didn't work right.

With my car idling at 750-800rpm and the spout connector plugged in, I get a reading of 14*btc. Holding it at about 2500rpm it goes up to approx 20* (it's hard to get an accurate reading working the throttle and timing light at the same time).

With the car idling and the spout connector disconnected, I get a reading of 0-2*btc.

I've read that the timing should be set with the spout connector unplugged, if that's the case the timing's way off. If I set the timing up to 14*btc, is that going to put the timing at 25*+ at an idle with the connector plugged in?

Thanks,
Jeremiah

BTW--The car seems to run fine, it'll pull up to 5k, and gets decent fuel mileage (19-20 combination of city/hwy.)

After searching for awhile, I answered my own question.

I set the base timing at 14* and the car seems to have a lot more low end grunt, and overall power. The car doesn't ping, so I could probably bump it up to 16*, but I'm going to play it safe and leave it at 14* for now.

3.27s coming next week!:D:D :D

14* BTDC
 

"An initial spark setting of 14* with an OE EEC-IV processor produces apporximately 38* of total ignition advance.
Engines backed by an AOD transmission typically prefer less initial spark timing than manual transmission 5-liters."

page 275, Mustang 5.0 Technical Reference and Performance Handbook, Al Kirschenbaum.