TIMING question

[pizza]

So I took my car to the track, it ran fine ( got a 14.2 as my best ) for the timing I HAD it set on ( which was done by previous owner ) .

after talking to some guys about how my car runs lean they did a timing test and It was set at -12 I'm pretty sure ( based off a standard base 10 timing ), they then set it at 10 base. It ran like shit and I only got 16s avg. Then they set it to 5, still ran like shit.

My question is, is negative timing really that bad? I've been running on -12 or w/e for a WHILE now ( over 5000 miles atleast ) and no problems what so ever.

I just picked up a timing light and going to adjust it after reading your guys opinions first.

[SloSVO]

what car?

[Wharf Rat]

what car?

+1. If it's a 94 or 95 I'd put my money on a trashed harmonic balancer or engine temp sensor.

I just went through this on my 95.

[pizza]

Yes the spout is out, the HB might be trashed lol. I set it at like 15-20 degrees and it ran AWESOME. No pinging or anything, just gobs of power.

[pizza]

94 5.0.

I don't think the HB is trashed, just wondering if it's ok to run retarded timing. It has 3.55's and a mild cam.

[4Jenna]

Checking it with spout out?

[4Jenna]

Its common for the balancer to spin on these cars, the rubber deal seperates usually.

Get a good one if you replace it.

[BurnTire]

I want to say I ran 13 back in the 5.0 fox days.

[Wharf Rat]

When I bought my 95 it would ping on anything past 5 degrees. Through a combination of a new harmonic balancer, new plugs, new engine temp sensor, and cleaned MAF I can run it at 12 degrees w/out issue.