Trouble setting timing correctly

[BroncoDon]

This may or may not be an unusual problem however here it goes.

My bronco starts up right away when it is cold but after driving for awhile and shutting it down it does not want to start or will crank over very slow before starting. I have checked everything and have deciphered that it is the timing.
With the timing really advanced the bronco runs great but when it warms up it won't start.
When the timing is then changed so it will start easily when warm it runs like crap all loaded up and gutless.
Is there a fine line between the two? because I can't find it. Or is there potentially another problem with the distributor ?

 

[Jeepster]

maybe check the vacumm advance with a vacumm pump. Remove the dist cap, unhook the vac line, connect the vac pump and see if the advance arm moves and holds. but I dont think this is your prob....dosent hurt to check though.

http://www.buicks.net/shop/reference/engine_timing.html

 

[BwoncoHowie]

Where would you like to set the timing if you could? Deg* BTDC ?
I like to set mine between 10* to 12* , which is advanced from the recommended 6*. If yours is advanced farther than 12, it may not be good for the motor firing the plug that soon depending on what cam you are running.

It may not be a timing problem. If your battery cable or your starter is getting too hot, it can also cause hot cranking difficulties. Hedders will make starters and cables even worse. I solved hot cranking problems on other fords by installing a 2 gauge or 1 gauge cable from the sol to the starter and shielding the starter from exhaust system heat. Just some things worth looking at. ~BH

 

[BroncoDon]

BH, You make some very good suggestions, however, I have already eliminated the starter getting hot as a possibility for my problem. I was offroading last weekend and when it got hot and wouldn't start thats when I started retarding the timing and wholla she fired right up. So I thought I had everything solved until it ran like crap. So I guess I will just mess with the timing some more until I can dial it in.

Ps. I do not know what cam is in it as I bought it as is.

 

[Rustytruck]

Pop the cap and twist the rotor and quickly let go and see if the rotor snaps back if not the return springs may be weak or the advance mechanism is gummed up. If you have the electronic ignition from a newer Ford then The mag pick-up in the distributer may be going south on you. check your vacuum advance put on a hose and suck on it it should hold vacuum and advance the distributer mechanism, do it with the cap off and watch it and make sure it snaps right back when you let off the vacuum. Make sure the vacuum advance is hooked up to ported vacuum and not manifold vacuum. manifold vacuum will advance the distributer on start up which is what you dont want to happen. on dual port vacuum can distributers the front port is hooked up to ported vacuum(under carb front driverside) and the rear port pointing straight up is hooked to manifold vacuum through a water heated vacuum switch. If you have points then make sure the gap is at its widest not tightest spec if the gap is too small it will limit coil output. Check the connections on the coil and on the starter solonoid the small plug on connectors must be tight or you limit coil output on start up.