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Timing jumped?

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Old Jul 21, 2008 | 08:18 AM
  #1  
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Timing jumped?

1979 F150 4x4 351m C6.

I took it out for a tour of Missouri yesterday.

Timing has always been a bit "wrong" on this truck.

After nearly driving OVER a Toyota yesterday, I found myself in an odd spot, and had to floor the truck to try to avoid cutting someone else off.

Oops. Bad plan.

It lurched, almost died, and hasn't been right since. It made the trip home, but was overheating (slightly), missing (a LOT) and chugged up every hill regardless of how slight the incline.

Do you think I jumped a tooth on the timing chain? Finally spun one of the nylon timing gears?

Or am I just paranoid and should keep on driving til it dies?
 
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Old Jul 21, 2008 | 08:25 AM
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You could put a timing light on it and see if the timing has "moved" for no reason since you set it. Might be a good idea to make sure fuel filter and fuel pump are OK, not enough fuel can cause the problems you discribe.
 
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Old Jul 21, 2008 | 08:29 AM
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If you think it still has the OE plastic cam gear I'd be checking the free play in the dizzy rotor to see how loose it is. Turn the crank bolt back and forth and watch the rotor.
 
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Old Jul 21, 2008 | 08:59 AM
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Originally Posted by fastfarmer
You could put a timing light on it and see if the timing has "moved" for no reason since you set it.
Good point. I'll do that sometime this week...

Originally Posted by fastfarmer
Might be a good idea to make sure fuel filter and fuel pump are OK, not enough fuel can cause the problems you discribe.
More good points. Thank you. (I've already put three fuel pumps on this thing...)

Where is the fuel filter on this truck? Is it in the tank?
 
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Old Jul 21, 2008 | 09:00 AM
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Originally Posted by ranger429
If you think it still has the OE plastic cam gear I'd be checking the free play in the dizzy rotor to see how loose it is. Turn the crank bolt back and forth and watch the rotor.
Good idea. I thought you were only supposed to turn the crank in one direction...is it OK to go back and forth with it?
 
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Old Jul 21, 2008 | 09:05 AM
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Your not actually turning the crank, what you are doing is checking the free play in the timing chain. It also does not hurt the motor to turn it backwards by the crank bolt. All it takes is to turn it till the rotor starts to move, then go back the other way. It should not take long to move that rotor.

The gas filter, provided it is the OE 2 bl carb, will be screwed into the carb at the gas line inlet. I'm betting it has been changed down the road and has a 5/16" inline filter on it. No fuel filters were put in the tank back then on these trucks.

If you have a timing light you could also hook that up and see how erratic it bounces around.
 
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Old Jul 21, 2008 | 09:10 AM
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Thanks...and yes, I have one. I just haven't put it on the truck in a year or two...I don't drive the truck much...but I'll check it out!
 
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Old Jul 21, 2008 | 09:13 AM
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You could also have sheared the pin in the dizzy drive.
 
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Old Jul 21, 2008 | 09:19 AM
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Originally Posted by beartracks
You could also have sheared the pin in the dizzy drive.
Possible but it usually involves a backfire to shear the dizzy roll pin. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to pop the cap off and grab the rotor and see if you can turn it by hand. If you feel comfortable it is easier to pull the dizzy and give it a visual.
 
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