Help! I gotta weird problem
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Help! I gotta weird problem
So here it is. Still sorting out the new truck. 86 F250 with a 460. Tried to time it a while back and couldn't find the marks. I found a pointer on the passenger side, top of the harmonic balancer but no marks. I found the marks yesterday on the balancer, marked a line in chalk right at 14 degrees. Started the truck, aimed the light, no mark to be found. And yes, I was using the wire from cylinder #1, checked it in two books. So I'm a little baffled and try a few things. What I came up with is that I can see the mark using cylinder #2 and #8, but the timing is not synchronized with them.
My first thought was that the distributor was put in out of synch. But the truck runs great. I am definitely getting spark at very near the correct time. So that leaves the balancer or the pointer. Are there differently timed balancers? I thought I saw the mark about 60 degrees off but it was so far and difficult to see, I'm not sure.
Advice is appreciated. I really would like to tune this truck correctly.
BTW, the vacuum and mechanical advance work. I was able to move the distributor and change the timing. I just don't have a reference mark.
Thanks
Larry
My first thought was that the distributor was put in out of synch. But the truck runs great. I am definitely getting spark at very near the correct time. So that leaves the balancer or the pointer. Are there differently timed balancers? I thought I saw the mark about 60 degrees off but it was so far and difficult to see, I'm not sure.
Advice is appreciated. I really would like to tune this truck correctly.
BTW, the vacuum and mechanical advance work. I was able to move the distributor and change the timing. I just don't have a reference mark.
Thanks
Larry
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,147
Likes: 1
From: East Coast
I think when the balancers get old the rubber dries out and the outer portion can slip, so the marks won't be right on where they should be. I think you can probably time it by ear, and maybe with the help of a vacuum guage.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
You've got the basic idea for ear tuning, Do as you said, but also do a start test, basically, after you over advance and back off, rev it a few times to check throttle response, and when it all sounds good, then shut it down and restart. If it starts a little hard, you're still a bit too advanced, need to back it down a few more degrees. Hope this helps.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 544
Likes: 0
From: Ocala, Florida
If the rubber on the damper dried out and the timing mark moved, it would continuously jump around. If that is the case, you will need to change the damper. Another question. Has the timing chain ever been replaced? If it had, it is possible that whoever changed it may not have installed it properly. That too will through your timing mark off.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
if it runs good, you can't put the damper on wrong, the only thing that can happen is get the timing chain off, and it would show up in the performance. You also can't put it 180 off, either, as the timing events come out the same, actually, you could put the chain on that way and be fine, just have to get the distributor to match it properly, or reorganize your wires.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
So now I am confused. Fellro86, you say that the balancer can't go on wrong and that it can only be a jumped chain?
I am hesitant to believe that anything that dramatic has happened. I just got 10.74 mpg with mixed freeway and city driving. Truck pulled my 7000# trailer up some BIG hills, etc. It is not a horsepower monster, but it does drive.
Any clarification?
Thanks
Larry
I am hesitant to believe that anything that dramatic has happened. I just got 10.74 mpg with mixed freeway and city driving. Truck pulled my 7000# trailer up some BIG hills, etc. It is not a horsepower monster, but it does drive.
Any clarification?
Thanks
Larry
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 544
Likes: 0
From: Ocala, Florida
your harmonic balancer (damper) has a hub which is on the end of the crankshaft. Around that hub is a layer of rubber. Then on top of the layer of rubber is another ring of metal (has timing marks on it). The purpose of the rubber is to absorb vibrations from the internals of the engine. If the rubber shrinks and dries out, the outer ring will shift. You will be able to see it constantly move around using a timing light. If the mark stays in the same place chances are the damper is good. I hope this helps, and I am sorry if I confused you.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
I was referring to the prior post. I don't feel that the prior owner could have installed the damper or chain wrong. However, they could have put the wrong damper on, as the timing marks would be placed differently. Sorry if I confused you. The outer ring could well have shifted, I have seen this happen more than once on the older motors. Another way to time, but is more involved, is to find proper TDC, and mark it, but I think you would be fine ear tuning it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,903
Likes: 2
From: Wyoming
Are you disconnecting the vacuum advance hose before running the timing? It can move the advance up to 60 degrees BTDC at idle. That makes the chalk mark disappear even if the engine sounds like it's running good.
Tuned
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 345
Likes: 4
From: Southern IL
If they put the distributor in say 180 out, all they would have had to have done was move the plug wires around accordingly. Make sure the no.1 wire on dist. is running to no.1 cylinder. Then, ensure all vacuum advance lines are disconnected and plugged. They will move your mark if it has vacuum advance connected. Lastly, I believe that on this year truck the timing is just for initially setting up the engine. It needs to be close but computer makes all timing adjustments after running.
