I am trying to fix my mistake. I need to set cam position for the timing advance for my db2 pump on my '91 stock 7.3 idi. I understand a bench at a diesel shop is where it should be taken but I want to try myself... it's my truck! I ASSUME that if it's not correct that the motor will run poorly or not at all. Are there any severe consequences to doing this at home?

 

Did you disassemble the pump or something? Setting the timing can be done at home and can be done properly with a timing meter at home. Explain more, I am confused.

 

Eaton, I believe he needs to adjust the advance cam on the side of the IP, not the injection timing.

The advance cam on the side I think your main option really would be to try an adjustment, drive it, (verify with timing meter) and then adjust and check/test again. If you know your injection timing was on, you could maybe compare your overall injection timing advance at various RPM points to another truck that's properly timed to match the "advance curve" maybe. I think a small adjustment here could have a fairly noticeable change in how it drives. If the pump was removed and or you're not certain it was timed to a known value, you're pretty well gonna be shooting in the dark I think.

I don't have a pump with me here but if there is perhaps an "air gap" in the linkage, another user could measure the air-gap and get you close at least for a starting point. But I don't recall off hand there being a gap like that in the linkage.

 

The timing was fine before. I broke the cam piece while replacing the TPS sensor so I got another. SO, the pump was set fine and has not been started or moved since it the cam broke. The replacement should be here in the next day or so.
Where would I get a timing meter, and because I've never used one I may need a little advice on that aspect as well.