Timing problems
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Friendswood
Timing problems
I replaced the plugs, Cap, Rotor, wires, and coil in my 5.0 91 F150. Ever since, I've had troubles with setting the timing. When I set it at 10 BTDC, it pings pretty bad. It gets better at 14 BTDC and completely stops at 16 BTDC. The only problem with leaving it there is the engine has no get up and go like around 10 BTDC. I have double checked firing order and yes I remove the spout when setting the timing. The timing chain has been replaced in the last year so that can't be the problem. Looking for more ideas to check. Here are the details on the tune up parts I added:
Ford Racing Cap, Rotor, 9MM plug wires
Motorcraft stock plugs,
MSD Ford Blaster coil
Thanks
Ford Racing Cap, Rotor, 9MM plug wires
Motorcraft stock plugs,
MSD Ford Blaster coil
Thanks
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Friendswood
The chain was installed long before the tune up and no problems for over 6 months. The problem did not start until I added the new tune up parts. I don't believe my engine has a knock sensor. Where would it be located if it did?
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,555
Likes: 40
From: Concord, NC
The knock sensor is waaaay in the back. I have a picture showing its location in my gallery. I don't think you are reading the timing marks correctly - if it pings at 10, it's gonna ping worse at 14 and 16.
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Freshman User
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From: Friendswood
The ping only happens under hard acceleration or at RPMs above 3K. I know it should ping worse above 10 but that is not what is happening. That is why it makes no sense to me. I looked at your picture of the location of the Knock sensor and am now wondering if this was bad if it could be causing the problems I'm describing. The sensor seems to be cheep enough and I know I haven't changed it in the last three years since I've had the truck so it may be time now.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2004
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From: Prince George, B.C.
Hey, you could have a bad harmonic balancer, they part that the marks are on can turn because it is on a rubber ring so then the marks are off. You may want to check that, I think it happened to our 460 because there is a whiteout mark in the middle of nowhere on it, there are no marks or anything but that is where the timing is supposed to be, so you may have the same problem. I know for a fact that my Dodge did this because when I set the timing on it it does the same thing so it gets power timed.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,166
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From: Chino, California
This may sound stupid, but have you checked to make sure you indexed the sparkplug wires starting with the #1 post on the dist cap? It sounds to me like you have them shifted one post off . Make sure you started on the right post with the first plug boot on the dist. That would account for the advanced timing causing the pinging. It would not upset the firing order, only the timing.
In other words, the firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8, but you may have #1's plug wire on #8's post and so on. This would advance the timing requiring you to twist the dist ccw to retard it enough to fire up.
Check this diagram:http://www.carmemories.com/cgi-bin/v...cgi?image=2055
In other words, the firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8, but you may have #1's plug wire on #8's post and so on. This would advance the timing requiring you to twist the dist ccw to retard it enough to fire up.
Check this diagram:http://www.carmemories.com/cgi-bin/v...cgi?image=2055
Last edited by pops_91710; Sep 9, 2004 at 01:10 PM.
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Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Friendswood
I'm going to replace the Knock sensor this evening and double check the plug wires in relation to the post on the cap. I know there is not a problem with the Harmonic balancer as this was replaced about the same time as the timing chain. I'll let everyone know my findings tomorrow.
Thanks,
Martin
Thanks,
Martin
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,166
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From: Chino, California
Originally Posted by EPNCSU2006
Could be, but it should still get better by retarding the timing, not advancing it - the engine still spins the same way regardless of where the spark plug wires are.
I think you are saying what I said, but differently.
I am not sure how much he has advanced it if he has infact done what I suggest he may have.. A mathematician could figure that out quite easily.
The question is does he have enough room to twist it backwards to re-align the timing.? I doubt it.
My only other thought is he may have the timing light on the wrong plug wire. This could most likely happen if the wires have been shifted.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,555
Likes: 40
From: Concord, NC
What I'm saying is, you turn the distributor one way to advance the timing and the other way to retard it. That doesn't change in relation to what plug wire the timing is set from. Advancing the timing should make it ping more, not less. The only way for the BTDC to increase is to advance the timing, regardless of what plug wire the light is on.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,166
Likes: 0
From: Chino, California
What I'm saying is, you turn the distributor one way to advance the timing and the other way to retard it. (Okay, I agree)
That doesn't change in relation to what plug wire the timing is set from. (I agree here ,too.)
Advancing the timing should make it ping more, not less. (I understand that, so again I agree).
The only way for the BTDC to increase is to advance the timing, regardless of what plug wire the light is on.(Obviously! No one said otherwise. So what is it you are trying to say?)
Is there something you don't agree with that I said?
Did I not say:In other words, the firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8, but you may have #1's plug wire on #8's post and so on. This would advance the timing requiring you to twist the dist ccw to retard it enough to fire up?
That doesn't change in relation to what plug wire the timing is set from. (I agree here ,too.)
Advancing the timing should make it ping more, not less. (I understand that, so again I agree).
The only way for the BTDC to increase is to advance the timing, regardless of what plug wire the light is on.(Obviously! No one said otherwise. So what is it you are trying to say?)
Is there something you don't agree with that I said?
Did I not say:In other words, the firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8, but you may have #1's plug wire on #8's post and so on. This would advance the timing requiring you to twist the dist ccw to retard it enough to fire up?
Last edited by pops_91710; Sep 9, 2004 at 10:48 PM.