Timing adjusting issues...?

[HotRudyRod]

Hello, im trying to tune up my friends Ty 1st in order to do the ultimate chip mod. The problem is that i cant find the timing marks or the distributor's losening bolt, can any one tell me how to locate them and how to make timing setting easier?
I know the timing marks in most cars are at the crankshaft pulley but on this one it is just too damn dirty or some where else, help!

 

[NecroWolf]

Re: Timing adjusting issues...?

well if you can't find the distibutor hold down bolt, you might want to quit while you're ahead......j/k
the best way to get to the hold down bolt i've found is with a long 12pt wrench. you pull the fuel return line off the regulater and you have a pretty good shot at it. the timing mark is on the balancer behind the pulley. it's just a groove, your best bet is to turn it over by hand till you find it and paint it white. best of luck. where you guys at might be someone local to help

 

[Loeryder]

Re: Timing adjusting issues...?

I have been able to loosen the distrib hold down bolt with a swivel socket and long ext.
If you add a swivel to a 6pt socket its too tall.

The bolt is on the pass side towards the front of the distrib base.
Its tough to even be able to see it with all the wiring and fuel lines in the way.
Of course you cant start and time the motor with the fuel return line disconnected at the regulator but thats a funny tip.

Timing mark is a line on the balancer.
Turn it by hand inch by inch and its easier to see.
I painted mine with white out and its still on there.

 

[turbodig]

Re: Timing adjusting issues...?

Stubby ratchet wrench to loosen and/or 1/4" drive long wobble extension with short socket on it.

It's a PITA, no matter how you look at it.

 

[pinellas50]

Re: Timing adjusting issues...?

I use a stubby 9/16" ratchet wrench to get that distributor bolt on mine.

Don't forget to unplug the wire inside the cab before trying to set base timing.

 

[HotRudyRod]

Re: Timing adjusting issues...?

Ok guys, i found the timing lines and painted them with a white out pen, now which of them 3 triagular thooths in what seems to be a WV pattern is the 0 at?
Im still trying to find the bolt,the lightning at the place im doing it at isnt enough to let me see it, im going to try with some lamps i got here.
Also, which way you turn the timing up and down? I know chevys are adjusted contrary to fords but i cant remember which side is up or down on fords either, ol.

 

[pinellas50]

Re: Timing adjusting issues...?

The hold down bolt is directly in front of(towards the front of the motor) the distributor base. Likely yours is covered with wires and vacuum lines. If you run your finger forward from the base of the distributor you should run into it.

To get at it I lay across the top of the motor and get my wrench in there between the firewall and the back of the motor......offset to the left or pass side. Get up in there and you should see what I am talking about.

When tightening it back down, make sure the hold down fork or what ever it is called is completely pushed to the rear so it is over the base of the distributor. It is designed to slide forward off the distributor completely and it is possible to tighten it down like that.

 

[NecroWolf]

Re: Timing adjusting issues...?

To get at it I lay across the top of the motor and get my wrench in there between the firewall and the back of the motor......offset to the left or pass side. Get up in there and you should see what I am talking about.

you either have really small hands or another joint in your arm, there is no way on in the world i could do that

 

[HotRudyRod]

Re: Timing adjusting issues...?

Quote:
Originally Posted by pinellas50

To get at it I lay across the top of the motor and get my wrench in there between the firewall and the back of the motor......offset to the left or pass side. Get up in there and you should see what I am talking about.


you either have really small hands or another joint in your arm, there is no way on in the world i could do that

It can be done, i removed the intercooler hoses and then got on top of the engine (literally) one foot on the battery, a knee on top of the cooler and another knee on top of the intake, i some how got a hand under the dist and found the bolt.
Now the question is how can i get to it, its a very tight fit with all the vacuum hoses and SP wires. Necrowolf's suggestion makes the most sense right now but it implies that i take the fuel return off, loosen the bolt a little so the dist wont move by it self, tighten the return line again, adujst the timing to 0 and then losen up the return line, tighten the bolt and bolt the line up again. No wonder why so many trucks are out of tune, its a f ing migrane!

 

[denny]

Re: Timing adjusting issues...?

I uses one of these, between $5 - $10 any autoparts store.

 

[NecroWolf]

Re: Timing adjusting issues...?

The "0" is the deepest notch in the timing tab. All this discussion about accessing the distributor bolt. Check the timing first. It may not need adjusting. They seldom do, if the last guy to set it knew what he was doing, and got it correct......

you're ruining the whole experience for him....

on a side note you don't have to remove the fuel return line, but it frees up major space. and i think we need a picture of you sitting under the hood like that.

 

[HotRudyRod]

Re: Timing adjusting issues...?

The "0" is the deepest notch in the timing tab. All this discussion about accessing the distributor bolt. Check the timing first. It may not need adjusting. They seldom do, if the last guy to set it knew what he was doing, and got it correct......

I did check with the tan wire discconeted and the timing is way off the checking tab for about an inch so yeah the last dude didnt know or was too lazy.

Yeah the pic would be some thing to see, im 6' tall. LOL.

 

[Andreas]

Re: Timing adjusting issues...?

I made the bolt into a flathead screw with a grinder. A long, wide tipped, srewdriver makes it quite easy to loosen - tighten the modefied bolt (well some bad words is always spoken when setting the timing)

 

[Daman]

Re: Timing adjusting issues...?

You may want to confirm TDC on cyl 1 before you check and adjust the timing. The timing mark on could be off because the dampener has slipped. You can do a search for more info on this problem.

As far as the distributor bolt, I use a 12pt crow foot/feet along with a long extension and go straight down between the distributor and the intake.

 

[cloneman315]

Re: Timing adjusting issues...?

that tool denny posted is the best way I have also found to work

 

[HotRudyRod]

Re: Timing adjusting issues...?

I already got to the bolt, the easiest way i found was to remove the dist cap and then use one of them swivel or what ever you call the socket with a joint and an extention to losen it up just enough for me to twist the dist so it wont come lose in case i pull the throttle or test drive it.

Now whats got me thinking is that when i first checked the timing with the tan wire discconected the damper line was off the checking tab for about an inch to the left, then i adjusted it to where the 0 is supposed to be (too much rust to see it) then conected the wire, checked it again and now the damper line appears exactly where it used to be before i adjusted it. What does this means, the previous guy didnt discconect the wire to adjust the timing?
It also starts stuttering if i go any farther to the right past the 0, does this means its working as supposed to?
Sorry for all the questions but im in a hurry, my buddy is supposed to race it this sunday and i commited to get it running pretty good by then.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[NecroWolf]

Re: Timing adjusting issues...?

i wouldn't rush to race it, i did and it cost me an engine.