The SPOUT connector, when unplugged, will prevent the computer from advancing timing so you can check the base timing. The octane plug is different. On the 4.0L engines, you got both the SPOUT and the Octane plugs.

 

If you force out every bearing you will wreck then all and then you will have to replace them, just find what is making the noise it really is not that difficult it usually is the alternator or water pump or even the air pump if it has one, if it is the alternator don't mess about trying to change the bearings just get another from discount auto's you get a life time warrenty so if it goes wrong they will replace it and these alernators fail quite frequently. Your engine pinking is likely carbone build up in one or more of the cylinders or your ignition timing has moved a little, get a good strobe lamp and reset the timing to factory settings. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

Cbr900:

Easier said than done I have never had any luck checking timing on the 3.0L. The timing mark is hidden way down there on the passenger side, under tons of hoses, fan shroud, etc... I tried and I gave up

 

here's one good Aero thread that covers many of the trials and foibles of the 3L dist. and spout

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...ighlight=spout

looks like the '93 Spout is located just above and to the left of the master cylinder. Ford moved the Spout around on the wiring harnesses over the years, there still may be a factory sticker under your hood that details dist. base timing adjust. and spout location for your year.
tons of Spout and Distributor info in Aero and 3L engine forums.

the 3L distributors do have shaft wear and failure problems, as last resort pull and check drive gear at end, see the thread, Chev small blocks were notorious for shaft bushing seizure and being too tight from bent shaft in dist, would even twist off or snap shaft in worst case.
i have seen cases where there is a failure of the rotor base mount hole allowing the rotor to move changing timing.

Aero's can be quiet, mine is more quiet than wife's Honda CRV both on acceleration and hwy cruise. tire road noise is amplified by the big cave in back
agressive snow/mud tire tread?
New Toyo 800 Ultra's made mine as quiet as a tomb except when I hit a bump and junk in the plastic cargo boxes in the back jumps around.

if copper says the 3L timing is impossible to do due to obstructions, believe him, he has fought the 3L wars. wont' be the first time that Ford made a service item impossible to do. i didn't tackle the plugs and wires on my 4L until my favorite shop said $400 for plugs, wires and all fluids changed and I would supply all parts/fluids the last change.

 

hmm...mine ('94 3L) has the timing mark on the drivers side. of course, being able to see it didn't really matter, as over the course of over 220,000 miles I seem to have left it behind on some road somewhere.

 

IF you are sure it IS pinging that you hear then you might look for simple things like a vac hose leak, that will do it every time. Be careful... too much pinging can burn a hole in a piston.

 

Thanks dudes.. I will tackle this problem ASAP.
So i checking the timing is impossible (extremely difficult), what other options do i have?

 

I was talking about the pointer, of course, not the balancer.

Ray, all hope is not lost. have you tried looking for the timing mark yet?

also try listening for a vacuum leak as mentioned earlier. this might seem imposible with the noise, your stethascope should help. start at the vacuum tree at the rear of the motor. this is a common area for vacuum leaks or lines coming free from their fittings, due to underhood heating. next check condition of lines. also due to heat, they sometimes collapse under vacuum as they get old and soft, as I'm sure you know. also the scope should be very helpful in finding the source of that howling as well, also mentioned previously. that might be any number of items such as alternator, idler pulleys etc. narrow it down before replacing anything. not sure if this is any help to you, but I hope it is.

and remember, you own an aerostar, nothing is impossible. good luck!

 

Ray,
your Aero will never get as high mpg as that beautiful Crown Vic.
Aero's do not fit their nompen...have the aerodynamics of a big sucking toad going down the freeway backwards.
a '48 Desoto had more efficient AEROdynamics.
but we love our weekend cargo carrying, camping with a ton of gear, love vans with a queen bed in the back Aerostars.

 

yeah, we do! why is a question best left to a more qualified professional.

 

So i took the octane adjuster pin out to see if there was any difference in the pinging..
There is.. It's much worse with it out!
Isn't this crazy?
This somewhat leads me to believe the timing is not an issue.

So I think i will replace the plugs tomorrow, and see if that would make a difference. Somehow i have the feeling that there are wrong plugs in there.

 

Dear Copper, or anyone

What is the octane plug spoken of in this thread?? I own one of these beasts and would lie to know more. Thank You!!

KEN

 

The service Ford cd calls it an octane adjuster pin.
I do not have an exact picture to show you unfortunately; however I think that i may have taken out the incorrect thing as the 3.0 L do not have an octane adjuster ping. I probably removed the spout, and drove without it for a few hunder meters.

 

that would explain the worsening of the ping. no advance.

 

is the timing advance in the distributor equiped 3L Aero mechanical, vacuum or electronic in the ECU?