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I have a 1996 F150 with the 4.9 I6 engine, and am experiencing some trouble with trying to set the timing.
I pulled out the SPOUT connector, started the engine, and set the timing to 10*. I am using the little scribed line on the side of the balancer and the pointer on the passengers side of the engine as my marks. The engine ran pretty bad, which I guess is to be expected for only 10* of timing. I then shut the engine off, and put the SPOUT connector back in. When I started the engine again, it didn't run any better, and the timing was still only around 10*, maybe 12 at best. I thought the computer was supposed to advance the timing automatically to around 20 or 30 degrees or so after re installing the SPOUT. Am I missing something here? Would anyone have any advice on what to check? I set the timing by ear to where the engine sounded good, probably around 20 degrees or so, so that it was drive able for now. It runs decent, gets mid to high teens for gas mileage, but I'm confused why I can't seem to figure out the timing. Any help would be appreciated.
I would check to see if the spout is broken, it’s just a connector/jumper basically. Do a resistance check between the two posts on it as well as the wires going into it. If that checks out, inspect wiring for a break. If all that checks out, pull the computer.
Last edited by 90project5.0; Feb 12, 2026 at 09:20 PM.
I have a 1996 F150 with the 4.9 I6 engine, and am experiencing some trouble with trying to set the timing.
I pulled out the SPOUT connector, started the engine, and set the timing to 10*. I am using the little scribed line on the side of the balancer and the pointer on the passengers side of the engine as my marks. The engine ran pretty bad, which I guess is to be expected for only 10* of timing. I then shut the engine off, and put the SPOUT connector back in. When I started the engine again, it didn't run any better, and the timing was still only around 10*, maybe 12 at best. I thought the computer was supposed to advance the timing automatically to around 20 or 30 degrees or so after re installing the SPOUT. Am I missing something here? Would anyone have any advice on what to check? I set the timing by ear to where the engine sounded good, probably around 20 degrees or so, so that it was drive able for now. It runs decent, gets mid to high teens for gas mileage, but I'm confused why I can't seem to figure out the timing. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Rev the engine and watch the timing
It needs no more than 10 at idle
Generally, it will jump up or down when disconnecting or reconnecting the spout, but not always
On a 1996, there is a whole bunch of tests you can do with a NGS, if you think it ruins crappy
Yours should be EEC5 with a maf sensor
That means you can make it sing, dance and explode with a NGS, check pids and all of that
Enjoy that 4.9
On a 1996, there is a whole bunch of tests you can do with a NGS, if you think it ruins crappy
Yours should be EEC5 with a maf sensor
That means you can make it sing, dance and explode with a NGS, check pids and all of that
Enjoy that 4.9
Are you offering to loan your New Generation Star tester to the OP to run those tests?
