Timing Issues 1995 5.8l EFI
Thread Starter
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7th Gear
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 7
Likes: 2
Timing Issues 1995 5.8l EFI
First post here, but I’ll get to the point. I have decided to advance the timing on my 95 5.8l and cannot get it to advance past 8.5-9 degrees without it sputtering and/or dying. I have followed all of the steps ie: start on compression stroke, unplug SPOUT, ensure rotor is pointed towards the #1 plug wire.
I have run out of patience with this as I think I am doing everything right. Thanks in advance to everyone who replies, I will try to check as often as possible.
I have run out of patience with this as I think I am doing everything right. Thanks in advance to everyone who replies, I will try to check as often as possible.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,836
Likes: 2,437
I’m not understanding what you are doing.What do you mean by “start on compression stroke?” Did you remove the distributor and reinstalled the same one or a new one? Timing is done with the engine running and at operating temperature.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,470
Likes: 2,633
From: Near Salt Lake City
Compression stroke?
That's a term for a rough timing adjustment or distributor set after a motor rebuild or stator replacement
A running motor needs no base time set
However, if the distributor was ever removed and reinstalled wrong (a tooth off)
The result would be as you say
In that case, you need to re set the distributor a tooth advanced
Good luck
That's a term for a rough timing adjustment or distributor set after a motor rebuild or stator replacement
A running motor needs no base time set
However, if the distributor was ever removed and reinstalled wrong (a tooth off)
The result would be as you say
In that case, you need to re set the distributor a tooth advanced
Good luck
Thread Starter
|
7th Gear
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 7
Likes: 2
Compression stroke?
That's a term for a rough timing adjustment or distributor set after a motor rebuild or stator replacement
A running motor needs no base time set
However, if the distributor was ever removed and reinstalled wrong (a tooth off)
The result would be as you say
In that case, you need to re set the distributor a tooth advanced
Good luck
That's a term for a rough timing adjustment or distributor set after a motor rebuild or stator replacement
A running motor needs no base time set
However, if the distributor was ever removed and reinstalled wrong (a tooth off)
The result would be as you say
In that case, you need to re set the distributor a tooth advanced
Good luck
Last edited by BigBlue351w; Jan 15, 2025 at 09:26 AM.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,470
Likes: 2,633
From: Near Salt Lake City
So, if it is rough timed correctly, you should be able to rotate the distributor enough to obtain 30 or 40 degrees of initial timing before the module contacts the intake manifold
You are sure you are unplugging the spout and not some other connector?
If the spout is left plugged in, every time you move the distributor at idle, the timing will reset itself back to 8 degrees or so
If you have a good digital light with advance and retard buttons or a ****, you can watch that happen
If the distributor is stock to the truck, the chisel marks should line up right on 10 degrees BTDC with the spout out
Every one I've ever seen that I corrected the timing on, ended up right on the chisel mark
You will see the factory chisel mark right next to the distributor hold down
At that mark, you should be at ten degrees
You are sure you are unplugging the spout and not some other connector?
If the spout is left plugged in, every time you move the distributor at idle, the timing will reset itself back to 8 degrees or so
If you have a good digital light with advance and retard buttons or a ****, you can watch that happen
If the distributor is stock to the truck, the chisel marks should line up right on 10 degrees BTDC with the spout out
Every one I've ever seen that I corrected the timing on, ended up right on the chisel mark
You will see the factory chisel mark right next to the distributor hold down
At that mark, you should be at ten degrees
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,558
Likes: 852
You need a timing light, a timing pointer, and accurate timing marks on the harmonic balancer.
To make the marks easier to see, clean the marks on the balancer and use chalk to make them stand out.
Compression stroke, #1 cyl TDC, distributor should point at #1 spark plug. If its running now, you do not need to do this.
If you don't have a timing light you cannot accomplish what you are trying to do.
You need a timing light to verify what your timing is set to while running.
To make the marks easier to see, clean the marks on the balancer and use chalk to make them stand out.
Compression stroke, #1 cyl TDC, distributor should point at #1 spark plug. If its running now, you do not need to do this.
If you don't have a timing light you cannot accomplish what you are trying to do.
You need a timing light to verify what your timing is set to while running.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,470
Likes: 2,633
From: Near Salt Lake City
Just realized yours is a remote TFI module
Either way your distributor should rotate enough to get way too much timing into it
Stick with 10 degrees
Either way your distributor should rotate enough to get way too much timing into it
Stick with 10 degrees
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Thread Starter
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7th Gear
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 7
Likes: 2
So, if it is rough timed correctly, you should be able to rotate the distributor enough to obtain 30 or 40 degrees of initial timing before the module contacts the intake manifold
You are sure you are unplugging the spout and not some other connector?
If the spout is left plugged in, every time you move the distributor at idle, the timing will reset itself back to 8 degrees or so
If you have a good digital light with advance and retard buttons or a ****, you can watch that happen
If the distributor is stock to the truck, the chisel marks should line up right on 10 degrees BTDC with the spout out
Every one I've ever seen that I corrected the timing on, ended up right on the chisel mark
You will see the factory chisel mark right next to the distributor hold down
At that mark, you should be at ten degrees
You are sure you are unplugging the spout and not some other connector?
If the spout is left plugged in, every time you move the distributor at idle, the timing will reset itself back to 8 degrees or so
If you have a good digital light with advance and retard buttons or a ****, you can watch that happen
If the distributor is stock to the truck, the chisel marks should line up right on 10 degrees BTDC with the spout out
Every one I've ever seen that I corrected the timing on, ended up right on the chisel mark
You will see the factory chisel mark right next to the distributor hold down
At that mark, you should be at ten degrees
You need a timing light, a timing pointer, and accurate timing marks on the harmonic balancer.
To make the marks easier to see, clean the marks on the balancer and use chalk to make them stand out.
Compression stroke, #1 cyl TDC, distributor should point at #1 spark plug. If its running now, you do not need to do this.
If you don't have a timing light you cannot accomplish what you are trying to do.
You need a timing light to verify what your timing is set to while running.
To make the marks easier to see, clean the marks on the balancer and use chalk to make them stand out.
Compression stroke, #1 cyl TDC, distributor should point at #1 spark plug. If its running now, you do not need to do this.
If you don't have a timing light you cannot accomplish what you are trying to do.
You need a timing light to verify what your timing is set to while running.
Thanks all
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Thread Starter
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7th Gear
Joined: Jan 2025
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Would it be a bad idea to buy a new dizzy to start from the beginning and ensure it’s all done right?
Thanks again
Last edited by BigBlue351w; Jan 15, 2025 at 11:00 AM.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,836
Likes: 2,437
Not really. You can turn the crankshaft clockwise and counterclockwise to see how far (many degrees) the crankshaft moves before the rotor starts to move. Why do you think you need a new distributor? That doesn’t have anything to do with setting the base timing.
Thread Starter
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7th Gear
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 7
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The factory setting is 10° Before Top Dead Center so why did you start trying to change the setting? Is the truck running bad? Are you turning the distributor the right direction?
Not really. You can turn the crankshaft clockwise and counterclockwise to see how far (many degrees) the crankshaft moves before the rotor starts to move. Why do you think you need a new distributor? That doesn’t have anything to do with setting the base timing.
Not really. You can turn the crankshaft clockwise and counterclockwise to see how far (many degrees) the crankshaft moves before the rotor starts to move. Why do you think you need a new distributor? That doesn’t have anything to do with setting the base timing.
I don’t think I NEED a new distributor, I just like the security of knowing I did it and how I did it.
Last edited by BigBlue351w; Jan 15, 2025 at 12:40 PM.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 2,258
Likes: 742
From: Maryland
Here's a good thorough write up on how to do it: https://www.fullsizebronco.com/threa.../#post-2301929
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,836
Likes: 2,437
I find it hard to believe that it won’t go past 8° without the engine stalling. You are doing something wrong or….
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 2,258
Likes: 742
From: Maryland
Yes, I am damn near 100% sure I am unplugging the SPOUT. I have a good analog dial light that, when set to 8deg BTC shows my 0deg mark right at the timing tab you aim your light at. I will look for that chisel mark tonight. Also, I wonder if PO tried to advance timing without taking out the SPOUT and rotated dizzy all the way too far?
Yep I’ve got all of this.
My only deal is I haven’t even gotten to 10deg yet. I cannot rotate the distributor past 8.5deg or it will just die.
Thanks all
Yep I’ve got all of this.
My only deal is I haven’t even gotten to 10deg yet. I cannot rotate the distributor past 8.5deg or it will just die.
Thanks all