Essex V6 timing advance

[Jiimmy 0]

Hi all.

We serviced the Cortina about 3 weeks ago (my first time doing anything more than change spark plugs on this specific engine), but my father forgot the timing advance value he always set it at, which left us having to do a quick "Google" for an answer. We got a lot of contradicting answers, anything between 10 to 30 deg BTDC, leaving us with 10 deg BTDC as a "safe" advance, but it did seem low to us so we set it about 11.5 deg to see if it runs well.

Btw. it's a 2.5L V6 in a 1976 Cortina Mk. 3 pickup.

 

It runs perfectly just fine after the timing adjust (and very similar and slightly better to before we set the timing) but felt to me like the advance is not enough (purely going on "feel"), so when I had more time to research, it seemed like 14deg BTDC is closer to desired ignition advance.

So question 1, is 14 deg BTDC correct? The method used was to set it at idle (engine warmed up a few minutes) with the vacuum advance disconnected, checked with a timing light.

Second question is the impact of elevation on timing advance. We live at 5,000ft above sea level, which makes me think advance could be even more since knock/detonation is less likely with thinner air due to reduced air density. Is 14 deg BTDC still correct at 5,000feet or should we go more?
Third question is if this method of setting the timing we did is the best method?  

[sheffieldcortinacentre 726]

With the fuel we have nowadays, I've found with any car the best thing is try what your doing, keep moving it a couple of degrees then drive it once it starts to knock retard it a little then make a note of it for future use.

[Jiimmy 0]

13 hours ago, sheffieldcortinacentre said:

With the fuel we have nowadays, I've found with any car the best thing is try what your doing, keep moving it a couple of degrees then drive it once it starts to knock retard it a little then make a note of it for future use.

 

Thanks, I'll try that and see where I end-up.

[Jiimmy 0]

For what it's worth we set the timing advance to 14deg BTDC some weeks ago, and in the thick winter air it seems to be running very good.

[sheffieldcortinacentre 726]

Great glad could help, & now that can help others.