Timing question
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
Timing question
I just put in new injectors and return line kit, by the way learned the hard way about the crappy o-rings that come with those kits. Save yourself time and headache and get the Viton o-rings. Anyways, my timing seems to be advanced now after the new injectors and rattles more. There is not a shop around my area that can get it timed correctly. Are there any disadvantages or can I damage anything if it is running a little advanced? Thanks for all your help.
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Carlisle, Pa
steel header; hopefully youre not the impulsive, look before you leap type like some other guys on here ...
if you've never done it before, DON"T PULL OFF THE IP YET. wait till these guys tell you what to do. take my word for it.
if you've never done it before, DON"T PULL OFF THE IP YET. wait till these guys tell you what to do. take my word for it.
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
I don't plan on pulling the IP, I don't have the right timing gun and there are no shops close by that can do it for me. My question really is will I cause any damage by running out of time, or will it effect my mileage a bunch? I am getting a little better mileage with the new injectors. Seems to have more power, not a huge difference, but some. I am wondering now if I should crank the fuel up a flat or two?
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,789
Likes: 5
From: Sand GAp, KY
If you don't have a pyrometer I wouldn't mess with the fuel. I am glad you didn't pull the ip. I didn't mean that you should, I just wondered if you had. It will affect your mileage if it is out of time and yes it could do damage. But if the pump was not moved it is likely not out that much other than the normal amount do to the wearing of the gears. You say the power is up and the mileage so it is probably good but if you are still concerned take it to a shop (if you can find one).
Trending Topics
Methanoholic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 8
From: Maine (NorCal Native)
Loosen the 3 nuts holding the IP just enough to be able to move the pump with a little force, snug the top one a little to prevent movement.
Start the truck and apply 12v+ to the Cold start advance connector (Towards the rear of the truck) on the IP.
Now loosen the top IP bolt just enough to move the IP with a little force... Now rotate the IP in the direction needed ... one line width is about 1 degree.
Rotating the top of the IP towards the right side of the truck advances the timing, towards the left retards ...
The goal is to get a slight Powerstroke like rattle when hitting the go pedal with the cold start advance on and no rattle with it off ... It takes practice to get it right.
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
Start the truck and apply 12v+ to the Cold start advance connector (Towards the rear of the truck) on the IP.
Now loosen the top IP bolt just enough to move the IP with a little force... Now rotate the IP in the direction needed ... one line width is about 1 degree.
Rotating the top of the IP towards the right side of the truck advances the timing, towards the left retards ...
The goal is to get a slight Powerstroke like rattle when hitting the go pedal with the cold start advance on and no rattle with it off ... It takes practice to get it right.
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
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
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 20,376
Likes: 843
From: Mi'kma'ki
but iv no meter either lol.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 20,376
Likes: 843
From: Mi'kma'ki
maybe so.that would require;
1.one advanced idi guru (like yourself) to time it by ear.
2.one advanced idi guru with a timing meter (like Mel) to time one.
3.one dyno machine
4.10 tanks of fuel each between timings with no other changes to the truck,driven by a 3rd party person clueless as to the test.
i would guess,the ones claiming by ear is best,likely haven't "really" compared between the two to know.
all theory now of course.as personally iv no clue either way.iv been reading Mel's stuff pretty hard lately.i think he's sold me a moose pump and just doesn't know it yet.
1.one advanced idi guru (like yourself) to time it by ear.
2.one advanced idi guru with a timing meter (like Mel) to time one.
3.one dyno machine
4.10 tanks of fuel each between timings with no other changes to the truck,driven by a 3rd party person clueless as to the test.
i would guess,the ones claiming by ear is best,likely haven't "really" compared between the two to know.
all theory now of course.as personally iv no clue either way.iv been reading Mel's stuff pretty hard lately.i think he's sold me a moose pump and just doesn't know it yet.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,207
Likes: 1
From: Las vegas
The way I do it is losen the bottom two bolts make sure the top is good and tight run it till its hot losen the top so you can move it with a pry bar run 12v to the cold start advance and turn it till it sounds like a stroke at idle with 12v on the cold start advance and like a IDI with out 12v to the cold start advance. Ok so maybe I'm lazy and turn it till it sounds like a stroke with no cold start advance then back it off till it sounds like an IDI but it does the exact same thing.
But more importantly are you sure you put the right injectors in? are they the same letter code as the ones you removed? and did you pop test the new ones befor you put them in? The reason I ask is because it sounds like the new injectors are poping at a lover presure then the old ones causing them to pop sooner. In other words you may have installed lower HP injector. But you still can just adjust the timing to make it run right.
But more importantly are you sure you put the right injectors in? are they the same letter code as the ones you removed? and did you pop test the new ones befor you put them in? The reason I ask is because it sounds like the new injectors are poping at a lover presure then the old ones causing them to pop sooner. In other words you may have installed lower HP injector. But you still can just adjust the timing to make it run right.
Methanoholic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 8
From: Maine (NorCal Native)
maybe so.that would require;
1.one advanced idi guru (like yourself) to time it by ear.
2.one advanced idi guru with a timing meter (like Mel) to time one.
3.one dyno machine
4.10 tanks of fuel each between timings with no other changes to the truck,driven by a 3rd party person clueless as to the test.
i would guess,the ones claiming by ear is best,likely haven't "really" compared between the two to know.
all theory now of course.as personally iv no clue either way.iv been reading Mel's stuff pretty hard lately.i think he's sold me a moose pump and just doesn't know it yet.
1.one advanced idi guru (like yourself) to time it by ear.
2.one advanced idi guru with a timing meter (like Mel) to time one.
3.one dyno machine
4.10 tanks of fuel each between timings with no other changes to the truck,driven by a 3rd party person clueless as to the test.
i would guess,the ones claiming by ear is best,likely haven't "really" compared between the two to know.
all theory now of course.as personally iv no clue either way.iv been reading Mel's stuff pretty hard lately.i think he's sold me a moose pump and just doesn't know it yet.
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 16
From: Nutter Fort, WV
Ear versus timing meter.
More than one person has reported their harmonic balancer TDC mark is not in the correct place when it is installed while the timing gear cover is off so you can see the timing marks on the gears.
With that taken into consideration, when you use a timing tool, you are relying on those marks to be in the correct location.
If the harmonic balancer is off, with a timing meter the timing will be off.
So now the question as to which method is better comes down to what condition is the harmonic balancer in and how good is your ear?
From my rebuild, I know my TDC mark is off about 3 degrees.
Even though my ears are failing, I know I can get closer than 3 degrees by ear.
If you make a bar to bolt to the IP so you can make very small adjustments, with a little time you can fine tune the timing for where your engine runs the best.
You just don't want to have that Power Stroke rattle while driving normally once the engine is warm.
More than one person has reported their harmonic balancer TDC mark is not in the correct place when it is installed while the timing gear cover is off so you can see the timing marks on the gears.
With that taken into consideration, when you use a timing tool, you are relying on those marks to be in the correct location.
If the harmonic balancer is off, with a timing meter the timing will be off.
So now the question as to which method is better comes down to what condition is the harmonic balancer in and how good is your ear?
From my rebuild, I know my TDC mark is off about 3 degrees.
Even though my ears are failing, I know I can get closer than 3 degrees by ear.
If you make a bar to bolt to the IP so you can make very small adjustments, with a little time you can fine tune the timing for where your engine runs the best.
You just don't want to have that Power Stroke rattle while driving normally once the engine is warm.