'91 460 EFI distributor/timing question SOLVED!
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'91 460 EFI distributor/timing question SOLVED!
So, I was reading...somewhere...that for the '91 gasoline engines, to set the timing, one should disconnect the "SPOUT" connector, set the timing, and then reconnect the SPOUT. Problem is, my truck no workee without the distributor harness plugged in. Could I have a different distributor/computer? Do I have to fire up the engine and then unplug the connector after the engine is already running? Cuz it will not start without the doohickey being plugged in.
Or maybe I have the wrong information...altogether...
FWIW, I set the timing @ 10 BTDC (with a light) with the connector plugged in. I have no frame of reference for how it should run, as I bought the truck non-running.
It idles smooth, but the acceleration is bad (stumbles/surges), which I attribute to old gas (the truck had been sitting for a few months, I think).
Anyway, any insight on the dizzy would be welcomed.
Thanks!
CE
Or maybe I have the wrong information...altogether...
FWIW, I set the timing @ 10 BTDC (with a light) with the connector plugged in. I have no frame of reference for how it should run, as I bought the truck non-running.
It idles smooth, but the acceleration is bad (stumbles/surges), which I attribute to old gas (the truck had been sitting for a few months, I think).
Anyway, any insight on the dizzy would be welcomed.
Thanks!
CE
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
That is the way I have always done it, and you want the engine warmed up a little before trying to do this.
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HELP! Really confused now...
OK, so I found the SPOUT connector (it's way over on the fender on my truck 
) , but now when I crank up the truck, the timing marks are like 90-100 degrees off...I have to actually get under the truck with my timing light to see them!
With the SPOUT plugged in, my light triggers and the marks are in range of the pointer up top, where they should be. WTF?
Help. Please.
Thanks...
) , but now when I crank up the truck, the timing marks are like 90-100 degrees off...I have to actually get under the truck with my timing light to see them!With the SPOUT plugged in, my light triggers and the marks are in range of the pointer up top, where they should be. WTF?
Help. Please.
Thanks...
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 6,185
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From: Houston/Sugar Land
OK, so I found the SPOUT connector (it's way over on the fender on my truck ) , but now when I crank up the truck, the timing marks are like 90-100 degrees off...I have to actually get under the truck with my timing light to see them!
With the SPOUT plugged in, my light triggers and the marks are in range of the pointer up top, where they should be. WTF?
Help. Please.
Thanks...
) , but now when I crank up the truck, the timing marks are like 90-100 degrees off...I have to actually get under the truck with my timing light to see them!With the SPOUT plugged in, my light triggers and the marks are in range of the pointer up top, where they should be. WTF?
Help. Please.
Thanks...
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 23,667
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From: Easton,Ks
The SPOUT was move over on the fender maybe in 1989 but I know it was on the fender in 1990.
So that is where the SPOUT should be.
By the way the ICM (TFI) is also located at the left hand rear of the fender.
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FTE Legend
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
Wasn't on any '90 truck I have ever seen including the one I owned. I think the TFI move was around '92 but of course a previous owner of a truck could have moved it after experiencing heat related failures of the distributor mounted version.
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On my 1991 460 the SPOUT and ICM are both on the driver side fender back by the firewall and the computer connector.
But what is up with the strobe and the timing marks? This is interesting, I wanna know.
But what is up with the strobe and the timing marks? This is interesting, I wanna know.
Fleet Owner
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From: Easton,Ks
The 4.9L, 5.0L and the 5.8L did not move them and use an open bowl until 1992.
Also the 1989+ with the 460 and with a E4OD also had the three digit codes.
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Figured it out.
After some head-scratching, it dawned on me that even though I had the distributor's relation to cylinder #1 set right, the timing marks were showing up 100+ degrees retarded because I didn't have the distributor body clocked correctly in the engine. I marked the rotor position on the body, twisted the distributor body clockwise, then lifted it slightly and twisted the rotor clockwise until it meshed with the cam gear and settled back down at my mark. Fired it up, and the timing marks appeared within the scale. Set @ 10 degrees BTDC, and reinserted the SPOUT connector. Winner!
Thanks for everyone's help!
C
Thanks for everyone's help!
C
FTE Legend
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
We are talking about the 460 in this Thread and both the TFI (ICM )and the SPOUT was moved to the fender in 1989 with the engine using a closed bowl distributor.
The 4.9L, 5.0L and the 5.8L did not move them and use an open bowl until 1992.
Also the 1989+ with the 460 and with a E4OD also had the three digit codes.
The 4.9L, 5.0L and the 5.8L did not move them and use an open bowl until 1992.
Also the 1989+ with the 460 and with a E4OD also had the three digit codes.
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2018
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From: pine city washington
what i did with my 95 351 was to set it at tdc while it was not running and pulled the spout out and started it after it started i bumped it clockwise a tiny bit until it ran smooth and let it run that way until the motor warmed up then plugged the spout back in and let the computer take over. you cannot trust the harmonic balancer because after a while the rubber ring slips a little that is why you have to make sure it is on tdc. use a vacuum gauge and adjust to the highest vacuum and smoothness, just a thought.
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