More Timing Questions

[BIGYELLOW78J10]

Having grown up with EFI and such on Honda's, I never got to use the old timing light my dad kept in the utility room. Now that I'm grown(hehe) I have a real vehicle and I think it's about time to time the beast. SO - I went out expecting everthing to be straight forward and just like I'd read about and seen when working with my friends vehicles(of course no one is available to help me). I guess my first question is: 1)Should the mark on the balancer line up with anything when the engine is still? My impression is that the engine stops were it pleases and that the timing mark will not necessarily line up witht he marks when the engine is off. However, one recipe for timing I read said the line should start out aligned. 2) How would I go about lining up the marks, if needed? 3) When should I time the engine? I was planmning to time it since I also was adjusting the idle and later planned to adjust the mixture, as I believe the truck is running rich. Should I set the timing now? Thanks,

Daniel

[Mud Thrasher]

Ok first things first you don't have to move the harmonic balancer. As you said it stops where it wants to. The vehicle should be warmed up and sitting at idle. Disconnect the vacuum advance line going to the distributor. Connect the timing light leads to the battery and the #1 cylinder( should be the first plug on the drivers side). OOPS, with the engine off put a mark with a piece of soap stone in the line on the balancer so that you can see it with the light. Once you do all that locate your timing marks and note where the line should match up to. Once that is done with the motor running point the light at the timing marks and you will see the line. If it needs adjustment loosen the bolt at the base of the distributor and turn it until you get to the correct mark. Then tighten it back down.
That should get ya. Although your running rich probably won't be from the timing being off but that is a good place to start.

[OBX-AUTOMOTIVE]

MUD.... I LIKE YOUR REPLY..IT'S GETS TO THE POINT....NOW!!! THE ONES I GIVE........I'M SURE MOST PEOPLE ARE THIMKING WHAT THE HELL IS THAT A HOLE TALKING ABOUT :confused: ME!!!! ;)

[BIGYELLOW78J10]

THANKS GUYS!

I REALLY APPRICIATE IT.


Daniel

[WudreauxTWW]

While we are on this subject.... the vacuum advance on my distributor butts right up against my power steering pump bracket. So much so that it is a b**** to get the vacuum hooked back up after the timing is set. Is this common or do I have something out of whack? I have been contemplating the TFI upgrade. Will that get the vacuum advance away from the bracket?

[ August 16, 2001: Message edited by: WudreauxTWW ]

[BIGYELLOW78J10]

As long as you have a way to set the time again, move all your spark plug wires over one spot, and rotate the distributor an equal amount in the opposing direction. If this is not enough, repeat, being sure not to misplace any plugs. Set the timing back proper, and go. Optimally, you should set the engine to Top Dead Center on cylinder #1, and set the distributor up with you new TFI setup. Make sure you have the clearance you need and then place the spark plugs accordingly. Someone else will likely suprceed me with a better method, but these are the only thoughts I have. Good luck.

Daniel

[nograin]

All replies good. Below is only additive for the theoreticlly minded.

first, the TFI calls for the big cap, but your advance can will still be where it is. You can do what big yellow sez, and if not, you should have a right angle connector off of the can that helps a little.

The only time (pun?) you need to line up the balancer is if you are starting from scratch. oh, It happens! So, when you have no idea, like you removed the distributor and didn't mark anything or the right things, here is what you do.
1. Bring the #1 piston to the top on a compression stroke. You can do this with your thumb over the spark plug hole or a compression gage, or whistle thingy I saw sold once. The point is to know its a compression stroke because pressure is created.
2. Use the mark on the harmonic damper to get it right at top, or where you want it.
3. Put the distrib in, and put the cap on so that the #1 plug wire on the cap is right above the rotor tip.

Oh, how to do it. Disconnect the dist coil and ground the coil wire to the engine. Then bump with starter. Sometime you can turn the crank shaft by hand using a big breaker bar.

Check timing when doing a tune up, but it doesn't usually change on its own! Usually its done in stock vehicles as a result of trying to pass emmissions.