Now that I found the how-to and the stock spec, I'm wondering if these 2.8s seem to like a different setting for initial spark advance? I read the FAQ sticky and the first half dozen posts of the more-power sticky, neither of them had the answer.

 

set base to 14* instead of 10* , its will make a lil bit of difference.
just keep an ear out for pinging when u do it , when i first turboed my stock 2.8 i ran the stock timing curve with an addition 6* of advance and it never pinged even under boost on 91

 

Thanks!
I'll report back on my findings.

 

I'm not sure it ended up anywhere near 14*, but it is moved. I have hard starting, but when I floor it from a stop it spins the right rear! This is an improvement to driveability, so next will be checking what it does to gas mileage.

 

sounds like ur way past 14* as 14* base shouldnt cause hot start issues

 

I ran 15* before I was tuning and didnt really have problems with a hard start....

 

After driving home I think I'll back it off slightly. Only this time not loosen the hold down clamp so loose.

 

Yea that dizzy clamp down is a pita. This is one thing I like about ford..the dizzy is in front so it can be a easier to adjust.

 

Finally, success!
My import timing light isn't good, but I'm sure I'm above 12*, and I have instant fire-up.
I guess my rough idle and hesitation is something else. Going to try cleaning the idle air control thing next, may have carbon deposits or some such.

 

Rough idle? Have you checked for vacuum leaks?

 

Have you done a idle relearn?

 

I looked, next is misting some starting fluid at it, hoping to hear it gain revs for a second. That's what a carb would do, not sure if EFI will or not.

 

I'll do a search in a few minutes for what it is and how to do it. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.

 

Wow! So many relevant results! Froddoyo's thread looked close, read it, it looks helpful. I'll try that tomorrow.