timing question

[86ranger4x4owner]

i got a 86 ranger 2.3l i got the crankshaft and camshaft lined up but when i turn the crankshaft to the tdc again it puts the camshaft point pointing up and then i put the crankshaft on tdc it will be right again i think there two different strokes a compression and exhuast how do i know which one is the compression stroke?

 

[86ranger4x4owner]

can someone give me instructions on how to line up the timing i put the crankshaft on tdc on the the timing cover then i lined the camshaft up and put the rotor button on number one spark plug is this right?

 

[Rogue_Wulff]

Just did this last week on my 95 B2300. There should be a mark on all 3 gears (crank, cam, aux shaft) that must be lined up. Once they are all lined up and the belt is installed, loosen the tensioner to tension the belt then snug down the bolts.
Rotate the crankshaft 2 full revolutions, as 1 revolution will result in the marks on the cam/aux gears to be 180 off (they turn at 1/2 the speed of the crank).
Insure that all 3 marks are still correctly lined up, and belt is tensioned correctly. Once the belt is tensioned properly, tighten down the tensioner bolts, and it's ready to go back together.

 

[86ranger4x4owner]

Just did this last week on my 95 B2300. There should be a mark on all 3 gears (crank, cam, aux shaft) that must be lined up. Once they are all lined up and the belt is installed, loosen the tensioner to tension the belt then snug down the bolts.
Rotate the crankshaft 2 full revolutions, as 1 revolution will result in the marks on the cam/aux gears to be 180 off (they turn at 1/2 the speed of the crank).
Insure that all 3 marks are still correctly lined up, and belt is tensioned correctly. Once the belt is tensioned properly, tighten down the tensioner bolts, and it's ready to go back together.

thanks i got it all lined up i was making sure it wasent messed up because i would turn the crankshaft one time and it would move all the timing marks then i would turn it again and it would line back up.but am getting a yellow spark would a yellow spark be hot enough to run the truck?

 

[Rogue_Wulff]

Yellow spark is usually indicative of a weak coil, and isn't hot enough to make it run very well, if at all.

The timing marks on the cam/aux gears will only line up every other rotation of the crank. As I stated, they turn at 1/2 the speed of the crank. It takes 2 full revs of the crank to make 1 full rev of the cam/aux shaft.

 

[86ranger4x4owner]

Yellow spark is usually indicative of a weak coil, and isn't hot enough to make it run very well, if at all.

The timing marks on the cam/aux gears will only line up every other rotation of the crank. As I stated, they turn at 1/2 the speed of the crank. It takes 2 full revs of the crank to make 1 full rev of the cam/aux shaft.

ok i getting a blue spark at the coil and to the distributor could it be the timing or more likely something on/in the distributor?

 

[Rogue_Wulff]

If the coil is throwing a good blue spark, but the plugs aren't getting the same, then you most likely have bad plugs or plug wires. It could be cap/rotor as well. Somewhere along the way, there is a major resistance blocking the coil output from reaching the plugs. It could be any of those, or a combination of all, that need replaced.

 

[86ranger4x4owner]

If the coil is throwing a good blue spark, but the plugs aren't getting the same, then you most likely have bad plugs or plug wires. It could be cap/rotor as well. Somewhere along the way, there is a major resistance blocking the coil output from reaching the plugs. It could be any of those, or a combination of all, that need replaced.

does it have to have a blue spark to run?

 

[Rogue_Wulff]

Pretty much needs a good blue spark at the plugs in order to run.

 

[Mark_88]

If you take out plug #1 and turn the crank manually with your thumb over the plug hole, you should feel pressure on your thumb when the piston is in the compression stroke...if you don't do that you may be trying to set the timing on the exhaust stroke...

Should get some backfire in that case...or run really rough...

As for color of spark...it should be blue...but it's really hard to see for sure unless you have a good dark room to check it...and when you do check the spark, hold the plug about an eighth of an inch from the valve cover while someone cranks the engine (unless you have a remote crank)...and hold the wire with insulated grips...unless you enjoy the surge of energy rushing through your body...

 

[86ranger4x4owner]

If you take out plug #1 and turn the crank manually with your thumb over the plug hole, you should feel pressure on your thumb when the piston is in the compression stroke...if you don't do that you may be trying to set the timing on the exhaust stroke...

Should get some backfire in that case...or run really rough...

As for color of spark...it should be blue...but it's really hard to see for sure unless you have a good dark room to check it...and when you do check the spark, hold the plug about an eighth of an inch from the valve cover while someone cranks the engine (unless you have a remote crank)...and hold the wire with insulated grips...unless you enjoy the surge of energy rushing through your body...

i will do this tomorrow put my finger over the spark plug hole i know there was the exhuast and compression stroke but i wasent sure how to check on which i was setting the time on i know its suppose to be on the compression but it could be on the exhuast one right now. and timing wouldnt have anything to do with getting a good blue spark would it?

 

[86ranger4x4owner]

If you take out plug #1 and turn the crank manually with your thumb over the plug hole, you should feel pressure on your thumb when the piston is in the compression stroke...if you don't do that you may be trying to set the timing on the exhaust stroke...

Should get some backfire in that case...or run really rough...

As for color of spark...it should be blue...but it's really hard to see for sure unless you have a good dark room to check it...and when you do check the spark, hold the plug about an eighth of an inch from the valve cover while someone cranks the engine (unless you have a remote crank)...and hold the wire with insulated grips...unless you enjoy the surge of energy rushing through your body...

Also i was thinking about getting a remote starter is this one?
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...&fromString=search&itemIdentifier=476887_0_0_
and where do you hook it at?

 

[Mark_88]

timing wouldnt have anything to do with getting a good blue spark would it?

No, actually...the spark is determined by the coil and ignition system...you can test the coil to make sure it's putting out enough power...and you can test wire from the coil to the distributor to make sure the power is actually getting there...and you can also remove the cap on the distributor to make sure that it's turning...I've had a distributor that simply would not turn...and not due to the drive, but the distributor shaft wasn't connected to the gear...

Also i was thinking about getting a remote starter is this one?
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...&fromString=search&itemIdentifier=476887_0_0_
and where do you hook it at?

That will work...it's not a remote starter as I should have explained...the type you sit in your house and start the vehicle...that type is for working on the engine...if you have one they can save you quite a bit of frustration...

However, when checking for the compression stroke...crank the engine by hand and also make sure you either disconnect the negative battery terminal and/or remove the coil wire from the distributor so you do not start the engine...

 

[86ranger4x4owner]

No, actually...the spark is determined by the coil and ignition system...you can test the coil to make sure it's putting out enough power...and you can test wire from the coil to the distributor to make sure the power is actually getting there...and you can also remove the cap on the distributor to make sure that it's turning...I've had a distributor that simply would not turn...and not due to the drive, but the distributor shaft wasn't connected to the gear...



That will work...it's not a remote starter as I should have explained...the type you sit in your house and start the vehicle...that type is for working on the engine...if you have one they can save you quite a bit of frustration...

However, when checking for the compression stroke...crank the engine by hand and also make sure you either disconnect the negative battery terminal and/or remove the coil wire from the distributor so you do not start the engine...

well i dont have to do anything cause it wont run thats why i was trying to get a blue spark then go on to the next problem.and yea i dont need a remote starter i know what you are talking about thoug.and its on the compression stroke i checked it today i put my finger over the hole and could barely feel any air coming out until i turned the crankshaft over again then i felt a lot of air and thats the stroke its on.so now to get a blue spark

 

[Mark_88]

Test the distributor...if you have a voltmeter that measures in 1000 volts DC put it on that setting or you may damage it...if you're not getting around 9000 volts out of the coil it may be bad...and replacing that will get you running...

Oh, wait...are you running coil packs with 8 plugs or is it 4 plugs with a coil on the fender?