need a timing how to

[LowLife]

OK...sorry, but I've never set timing before on a vehicle. I purchased a Craftsman timing light last night, so I'm ready to give it a try. I've found the sawtooth tab, but I can barely see down in there. It looks like the coolant hose is in the way for the most part. Is there anything you need to remove to do the timing? Also, how do you find the timing groove on the HB? It seems to be underneath everything and I can barely catch a glimpse of it.

Sorry for the newbie questions, just trying to learn a little! Thanks!

 

[Don W.]

Re: need a timing how to

Here's the marks you're looking for. (Forget the two little ones.) But before you go any further tell us what your mechanical experience/knowledge is. You can end up with a truck that doesn't run rather easily.

 

[LowLife]

Re: need a timing how to

Thanks for the pic! Is that pic taken with the fan removed?

My experience includes mainly working on distributorless vehicles...plenty of experience as far as those types go, just nothing with distributors.

 

[the baPhoon]

Re: need a timing how to

Don't forget to disconnect the tan wire under the pass side carpet.

 

[Don W.]

Re: need a timing how to

Thanks for the pic! Is that pic taken with the fan removed?

My experience includes mainly working on distributorless vehicles...plenty of experience as far as those types go, just nothing with distributors.

Water pump is off. If you look to the left you'll see the lower rad hose.

Under the dash on the pas side is a brown wire. Might be under the carpet. Disconnect and set timing to -0- (The mark in the pic.) shut motor off and reconnect wire.

What's crazy is there are multiple marks on the damper so if you don't see the one you painted you painted the wrong one. I use white nail polish for the tiny brush.

If motor is unmolested I'd bet .50 the timing is very close already. The hardest part is getting to the hold-down. Never had any luck with the normal dist tool. I use a 9/16 1/4 drive wobble socket with a long extension.

Double check timing after tightening, timing can change a bit and these motors are very sensitive to timing. Both advance and retard.

Have fun.

 

[LowLife]

Re: need a timing how to

My new Ty has a bit of unknown history to it, so I think it's a good start to make sure it's timed correctly. I've found remnants of an Ultimate Chip install (still have Ultimate round gauge in A-pillar), but currently it has a Pitbull Chip. The boost however is only 10psi....I've done plugs, wires, cap & rotor already. Doing the basics first.

Thanks for the help!

 

[LowLife]

Re: need a timing how to

I guess the last question I should ask is, can this be done without removing anything? If not, what should I remove?

 

[Don W.]

Re: need a timing how to

There are two marks 90º apart. You want the second one that 'goes by'. In other words, the one your using will be at the notch. The 'first one' will be at 4:00 o'clock, facing the engine.

Thanks Dave. Never spent the time to figure that one out...:roll:

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: need a timing how to

I guess the last question I should ask is, can this be done without removing anything? If not, what should I remove?

Yes, Just look at it from where the alternator is.

As mention above the distributor hold down is difficult to get to, escpecially if doing it for the first time. Also sometime the balancer spins, making the marks incorrect, you really should use a piston stop to find TDC

 

[syclone 0260n4]

Re: need a timing how to

I set my timing to 0 last night but forgot to disconnect the brown wire, now my truck runs like shit. Im gonna reset it to 0 after i disconnect the wire. Do I need to reset it with the brown wire on as well after i set it with the brown wire off?

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: need a timing how to

I set my timing to 0 last night but forgot to disconnect the brown wire, now my truck runs like shit. Im gonna reset it to 0 after i disconnect the wire. Do I need to reset it with the brown wire on as well after i set it with the brown wire off?

You need to set the timing with the brown wire off or it will run like shit

 

[syclone 0260n4]

Re: need a timing how to

yeah all the time getting it exact and i forgot the brown wire lol. should run well after

 

[Mr.Smith]

Re: need a timing how to

What is this brown wire you speak of?

 

[syclone 0260n4]

Re: need a timing how to

Its the wire under the glove box right at the top of the carpet that you must disconnect before timing the truck, unlike i did and made it run like shit. ahhh re-timed it and now running better than before

 

[SY2932]

Re: need a timing how to

What is this brown wire you speak of?

"The ESC Electronic Spark Timing "tan wire with a black stripe" that everyone can't find when attempting to set their timing (s-series). Wire is under the carpet on the passenger side below the heater box. It is disconnected to set the timing, then reconnected."

 

[cat-vi]

Re: need a timing how to

Don't forget to disconnect the tan wire under the pass side carpet.

I got the BS3 ECM with SyTy wireharness, will the tan wire still be valid and the same to be disconnect?

 

[BMFB]

Re: need a timing how to

how should the truck be running with the brown wire off at the 0 mark,my guess is bad, but I;m not sure, I'm actually working on it right now on my truck, and am having some difficulty's...the truck with the wire connected is close to 0, and with it disconnected is...gone and unfindable. My guess is that that the timing with the wire disconnected retards about 15 or so degrees so I should be advancing it to find it, but ill advance it so much the truck hates running, so I'm not sure...

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: need a timing how to

My guess is that that the timing with the wire disconnected retards about 15 or so degrees so I should be advancing it to find it, but ill advance it so much the truck hates running, so I'm not sure...

It actually takes all the timing advance out. On a stockish truck this taking out 25 degrees of timing at idle, that is why it runs so bad....

 

[BMFB]

Re: need a timing how to

you are correct...I was turning it the wrong way, the mechanical advance helped me fine the mark. I was able to do it was a standard dizzy wrench from autozone, but it did involve a hot sexy climb into the engine bay, and going in on it from the driver side rather than the passenger. Truck was having some starting issues, starts and runs like a dream now :tup:

 

[IpHoOnDyou]

Re: need a timing how to

OK...... Just to be clear I set the timing to 0 engine off, dissconect the tan wire and start the truck, Then set timing to mark on balancer, shut truck off, connect tan wire, start truck back up, and check timing??? Someone please tell me im right:lol: