Ignition timing

[79Camaro]

My truck's (94 B3000) distributor is set incorrectly, I have been seaching for a few hours now for the corrct procedure to set the ignition timing, and have become a little confused. Heres what know

1. warm engine
2. connect timing light
3.turn distributor counter clockwise=advance/clockwise=retard
4.set at 10 degrees BTDC
5. tighten down distributor check timing again


Now what I dont know, Is there a wire I have to disconnect before setting the timing? Whats it called and where is it located? I have been dying to get this truck on the road. Any help is much appreciated.

 

[fordman4x492]

all u gota do is turn the distributer untill it is where it needs to be

 

[Mirage]

Not exactly sure on this one, but most engines with distributors have a vacuum advance which advances the timing as load increases. Most manufacturers recommend disconnecting the vacuum hose lead to the vac advance and plugging it. (An old golf tee works great here). Then set the distributor till the pointer lines up with the specs. Reconnect vac advance hose when done.

Not sure I've ever heard of a wire that needs to be disconnected though.

 

[martin]

There's no mechanical advance on that distributor. The timing is controlled by the computer. there is a connector with a shorting plug in it that needs to be pulled to set the base timing but I don't know where it's located on the three liter, probably close to the distributor. It's been mentioned many times on here but I can't find it.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

trace the wires from the dizzy there should be a wire with a fuse type disconnect pull the disconnect from the connector. You can also try adjusting the timing with everything connected so the timing is about 37 degrees at 3500 rpm. If you pull the disconnect and the engine dies your too far retarded keep the light on it and have someone crank on it while you turn it to 10 degrees it should start

 

[kimcrwbr1]

It`s called the spout wire

 

[Mirage]

Thanks for the info Martin. I'm not too familiar with the distributor type motors used in Mazdas and Rangers. And I come from the old school V8 days. So I appreciate the education. Always something more to learn.

 

[79Camaro]

Thanks for all the help

I followed the wire off the dizzy and didnt come across the spout wire, so I then checked the firewall near the EEC but it wasnt there either. I finally found it behind the front driver side headlight. Im 98% sure this is it but thought Id put up a photo just to make sure.

So now the steps would be

1. warm engine
2. turn off engine then unplug spout
3. restart engine, hook up timing light, adjust dizzy
4. tighten down dizzy bolt, check timing again
5. then kill the engine and reconnect spout, or connect spout then kill the engine?

 

[kimcrwbr1]

If it dont start put the timing light on it and have someone crank on it so you can set it while the engine is turning over. It should start when you get close but let the engine warm all the way up first before you lock it down. Then it dont matter when you plug the spout back in. If you cleaned or replaced any of the sensors disconnect the battery for 1/2 hour to reset the computer and run it for 20 minutes at medium speeds then check it again when up to temp.

 

[Psychopete]

1. warm engine
2. turn off engine then unplug spout
3. restart engine, hook up timing light, adjust dizzy
4. tighten down dizzy bolt, check timing again
5. then kill the engine and reconnect spout, or connect spout then kill the engine?

Yup.

Doesn't that have a remount mounted TFI? Would explain why it's be near the head light, but you'll know if it is right or not, when it's plugged in the timing will be all over the place. When it's unplugged the timing stays static. Also helps to put a dab of something you can see real well on 10 BTDC on the dampner, like white paint marker.

 

[79Camaro]

Thanks to all for the info. I tried setting the timing tonight in the driveway, and when I grabbed the dizzy it gave me a shock(shitty spark plug wires)... so I'll be putting it of until tomorrow morning. I'll let everyone know how it goes.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Thanks to all for the info. I tried setting the timing tonight in the driveway, and when I grabbed the dizzy it gave me a shock(shitty spark plug wires)... so I'll be putting it of until tomorrow morning. I'll let everyone know how it goes.

Thats one way of checking for spark just kidding you can get that with new wires also if they are not snapped all the way in alot of volts going thru those wires. That is why it is recommended you put dielectric on the wire ends and the center contact on the cap and rotor. If you run it in the dark that is how you look for bad wires just look for arcing easier to see than hear. I was pulling a vacuum line of the vacuum tree on my 2.8 and popped a wire loose from the dizzy with my left hand and it arced almost 1/2 inch or better with my right hand. After my body stopped fluttering and a good break I show a little more respect around a running engine.

 

[79Camaro]

So I finally set the timing this morning. I set it at exactly 10 degress BTDC. The truck now runs and drives great. Thanks to all who have helped me get it on the road.