Setting timing + carb rebuild

[ratlabguy]

I need to set my ignition timing after replacing the whole ignition system.
However the carb is also in bad shape, as it has been sitting a long time, and I'm pretty sure needs a complete tear-down. Holley, ~90% sure 4160 based on looking at lots of pictures.

anyway - I am assuming that I should set the timing first, then rebuild the carb right? Its close enough that it runs but it's rough.. but not sure how much is carb vs timing.
Or is there some reason I should do carb first?

 

[Fairlane514]

If you plan on rebuilding the carburetor, then why not do it before you mess with the timing? Makes things a lot easier.

 

[jckkys]

What kind of ignition did you replace and with what? Just installing a distributor includes setting the initial timing and a new distributor would have at least functioning vacuum and centrifugal advances. Either way the carb rebuild would be a good idea if it's needed. A good diagnosis of your rough running engine would be the first step.

 

[ratlabguy]

If you plan on rebuilding the carburetor, then why not do it before you mess with the timing? Makes things a lot easier.

well I figured it would be challenging, if not impossible to get the carb adjusted properly w/o having the timing set

 

[ratlabguy]

What kind of ignition did you replace and with what? Just installing a distributor includes setting the initial timing and a new distributor would have at least functioning vacuum and centrifugal advances. Either way the carb rebuild would be a good idea if it's needed. A good diagnosis of your rough running engine would be the first step.

Dizzy from a Duraspark truck, GM HEI coil and TFI module. Originally I was replacing the dizzy, and it had duraspark but then I learned the other stuff was questionable at best so I ended up going the hybrid route (otherwise would have done a matched all in-one deal).
I of course had to line up the distributor gear w/ #1 @ TDC etc, but have no idea if the rotation of the dist body relative to the inductive coil is right.
My next step in diagnosis was to get the ignition timing set, hence the question.

 

[Fairlane514]

When rebuilding the carburetor you can get close enough to proper settings for start up and timing tuning.

Set the floats by inverting the fuel bowls and making them level with the bowl body. Set the idle mixture screws to 1 1/2 turns out from all the way in.

This should get you close enough.

 

[jckkys]

The rotor turns counter clockwise, meaning to advance the timing the distributor housing is turned clockwise. In a sock engine initial timing is usually 12-16 degrees, but many factors contribute to finding the best total timing curve. Read this.
http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2000/03/timing/index.shtml
The Duraspark, if using the Motorcraft module, is as good as it gets. The true Ford modules are hard to find tho. Even Ford dealership parts departments are sometimes selling cheap reproductions.