1988 Lincoln Town Car

[nfldfordltd]

Turns out it was running at about 8* BTDC. It was set at 12* but that was when the engine was cold. Set the timing to 12* at hot and the flat spot is gone. Yay me.

I'd use a fuel filler neck hose.

Capital idea sir. I'm going to do that.

[gadget73]

The timing shouldn't be changing by any real degree from hot to cold. You are setting it with the SPOUT unplugged right?

[nfldfordltd]

The timing shouldn't be changing by any real degree from hot to cold. You are setting it with the SPOUT unplugged right?

I thought so too, but it seems to have made a big difference. As for the SPOUT unplugged, I tried to do that but it wouldn't run unplugged. Shut off every time. Tried unplugging it and then starting it, still wouldn't start, so it got set while still plugged in. I know it's not right, but dazzit b'y.

[gadget73]

You have to set it with it unplugged. Its probably about 20 degrees retarded from where it belongs. Advance the distributor some and see if it will run with it out. THats also why its moving, the ECM is changing the timing as the engine warms up. Normally at idle with the SPOUT plugged in the ECM is adding 15-20 degrees from base timing.

[sly]

You have to set it with it unplugged. Its probably about 20 degrees retarded from where it belongs. Advance the distributor some and see if it will run with it out. THats also why its moving, the ECM is changing the timing as the engine warms up. Normally at idle with the SPOUT plugged in the ECM is adding 15-20 degrees from base timing.

+1 This.

[nfldfordltd]

I'm going to change the oil again today as I've run it about 100 miles since I got it running. When I'm at that, I'll attempt what ye said and see if I can get it to run with the SPOUT unplugged and do it right.

[nfldfordltd]

So I managed to get the timing set with the SPOUT unplugged, much better now. Oil is changed, stuff that came out was amazingly clean for a fresh built engine that had been opened up again.
Recap: Fresh oil and filter, timing set properly, valvetrain is still noisy AF (especially when it's warmed up, not so bad cold).
I'm going to have to break down and buy new lifters and junk for it.
Thanks for the help, mangs!

[gadget73]

check the preload before you worry about the lifters. Might need longer pushrods.

[nfldfordltd]

check the preload before you worry about the lifters. Might need longer pushrods.

I have new lifters and pushrods ordered, should arrive in a couple of weeks. I checked the preload crudely when I had it apart last time, everything seemed fine. Seemed is the key word.
I suspect there's plastic gunk inside the lifters and they're stuck. They soaked in Varsol for about three months but I had the valve train parts for each individual cylinder in plastic sub sandwich containers, which the Varsol dissolved and turned into a sticky, gummy plastic blob mess. The parts were cleaned as best I could (without disassembling the lifters, of course) and I think some of that globby plastic ended up inside some parts. Once it was out and dried off, the plastic slime solidified and jammed up the lifter plungers.
So I'm going to spend the $300 and put all new Sealed Power lifters and pushrods in there. Everything else is new, just as well to update the valvetrain as well.

[nfldfordltd]

Picture Time

As promised a long time ago, here's the first of some pictures taken during the engine assembly and installation that recently happened.
Hopefully I only have to tear the top off the engine one more time to get it right. When the parts arrive in a couple of weeks, likely.

[nfldfordltd]

Moar Pics!

Second lot:

[nfldfordltd]

Third set of pics:

Another 10, sorry about the order being messed up lol

[nfldfordltd]

last but not least....

A few more for the road:

[sly]

This is absolutely beautiful.

[nfldfordltd]

This is absolutely beautiful.

Thank you sir. It took some attention to detail and time, but I think it looks far better than the original flat black/silver lettering look. Gold lettering on silver plate goes well with the gold/silver theme of the engine.
Too bad you can't see much gold on the engine with it in and dressed.