Adjusting timing on an 8 plug DIS engine

[twinturbopantera]

The 8 plug DIS engines use a crank triger to set static timing and it is not adjustable. My Ranger feels like it needs more timing. Just a dog all over the rpm range. Have to down shift out of 5th going up most hills. I cannot even buck a head wind on the interstate in 5th. It never spark knocks even with the worst cheapest gas. Does anyone know of a way to advance the static timing on the DIS engines without putting a chip in or tuning the ECM. Some mod like a new mount for the crank trigger or diferent trigger vanes for the crank? I am sure it can handle 5 or 7 more deg of timing.

 

[ejholmgren]

an adjustable cam gear?

 

[locovaca]

FWIW, I always have to downshift out of 5th anytime I get to a moderate hill. That's just how the 2.3 is.

 

[feellnfroggy]

FWIW, I always have to downshift out of 5th anytime I get to a moderate hill. That's just how the 2.3 is.

He's right, alot of the rangers had slightly higher gearing than what they should have, same as the mazda pickup. (3.08 rearend) 4th gear when boggin. and no 5th till 55-60 mph. Get you a new set of rearend gear 3.73'smaybe and you'll get a little more pickmeup feel. tire size is another big thing, one tire size smaller ona street truck will help out a little as well. The manufacturer has a window of sizes that will remain with specs.

 

[Rocky Ranger]

Been there, done that!

I have had the same problem too. It did get better after I installed new plugs (8) and a new set of wires. Its a '95 regular cab w/ a 5 speed and 3.42 gears.
BTW my Ranger pings when I first start off from a dead stop.
I don't recall how the sensor mounts, can the screw holes be elongated and change the timing that way? Kinda like rotating a distributor

 

[4b316]

the problem with enlonging the bolt holes is that the ECM'learns' and adjusts the timing back to base after awhile.You can get by this by unhooking the battery,not bad on our race truck but gets old on the street.Been there,done that

 

[Bob Ayers]

an adjustable cam gear?

That would change valve timing, but not ignition timing!

 

[LearjetMinako]

I have had the same problem too. It did get better after I installed new plugs (8) and a new set of wires. Its a '95 regular cab w/ a 5 speed and 3.42 gears.
BTW my Ranger pings when I first start off from a dead stop.
I don't recall how the sensor mounts, can the screw holes be elongated and change the timing that way? Kinda like rotating a distributor

I think that would work. Since the timing ring has a certain mark and is keyed to the crank shaft. Off setting it should off set the timing. But then again, the PCM will probably adjust if it detects that offset.

I have the 3.73 with 1" oversized tire, (makes the 3.73 feel more like a 3.55). The 2.3L will scoot along, but there will always be times when I will have to downshift from 5th. 4th's perfect, it will cruise at 2,600rpms @ 60mph. 5th is around 2,500rpms @ 70mph.

 

[Joeymt3]

So, you could advance the timing by moving the sensor on the crank but after a while the computer will readjust right?

What if your truck has a check engine light on and is always in default mode, would the timing stay advanced then?

 

[SMTGREG]

Changing the position of the crank shaft sensor by elongating the wholes would only change the timing by a couple of deg.The EEC processor does not know if you moved the sensor so the timing should stay, this is not necessarily a good thing. 4 deg of base timing on hot start could cause a hard start or under light load with EGR open could cause a Ping. Then the processor would retard the timing to prevent engine damage producing a loss of power.Go back to the basics New filters and Plugs. Remove extra weight. Properly inflate tires and one that most people miss, check the brakes for dragging.

 

[Joeymt3]

Instead of moving the sensor, I guess you could remove the sprocket from the pulley. I don't know how you would know how many degrees you would change the timing once you put it back on.

Would the processor retard timing if the its in open loop or default mode?

This truck isn't a daily driver, its just a trail/beater truck. It doesn't have any O2 sensors, cat, egr, or A/C. So, the computer is definetly not computing very much. It has kinda been something for me to play with, I pulled the head and port matched and polished. Anything to help turn those 35's.

 

[Joeymt3]

I guess I should clearify, I know that its a pretty hard up hill battle to try to get more power out these little motors with out forced induction. I'm not trying to find some magical trick. Like I said above, this truck isn't even tagged. I just tinker with it sometimes and then go bash it in the woods.
The funny thing is, it just won't die.

I have been thinking lately that the timing is probably pulled back a little bit. I'm pretty sure that the CEL is since the items mentioned above are not on the engine anymore. Well, the CEL isn't on because the bulb is out. Anyway, I was thinking I could try to advance timing a little bit. I could be the test dummy for this, if it hurts something then I'm not out anything compared to someone doing this with a DD

 

[dngrrangr]

sence you have taken the egr off what size are the bolts? on the egr and the exhaust. trying to clean and repair my valve cover. cant take it off without taking egr off.