Timing marks off

[Eric Kropp]

So I have a little problem. I was away for about a week and a half and went to start my Ranger and it started after a little cranking and pumping. I either shut it off or it died and when I went to start it again it did this thing like it was hydraulic locked or was trying to start and run backward. Really pulled the battery down. So I charged it up and after a bit of fussing got it started. For kicks I decided to check the timing and was off according to the marks(spout unhooked). So I adjusted the timing where it belongs(10 deg. btdc according to the marks) and won't start. If I back it off aways so the mark is before the pointer about 3/8 to 1/2 inch she runs and starts. My first thought was that maybe I spun the harmonic balancer when it "locked" or tried to start/run backward or what ever that was. My next thought was "I don't think it has a harmonic balancer". Does it? I don't remember one. So maybe the key in the key way sheared off? It definitely runs fine, but that is not fine and dandy as the timing has to be verified in California for the smog check coming up in October. Any Ideas????

Eric

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Sounds like perhaps your timing chain has skipped.

 

[Big Jim M]

HA!

Sounds like perhaps your timing chain has skipped.

I never got one to run "FINE" after jumping time. I doubt it is the chain. Rather the key or something else but not being out of time internally.
Big JIm

 

[kimcrwbr1]

No timing chain just gears I am thinking the dizzy is acting goofy but hard to say pull the cap and see how much slop is in the gears by turning the rotor both ways. you do have a harmonic balancer and They do wear out over time bad bearings in either the water pump,alternator air pump and power steering pump will put stress on the rubber bushing. Timing gears are pretty tough and if you have good oil pressure they are probably good but you can take and turn the crank forward and back and see how much slop is in the dizzy twist the rotor first and see how far it moves then turn the crank. But I am thinking more on the TFI module pickup coil or computer not advanceing it properly. If you can get a known good dizzy and try that first before you start spending alot of money isolat the fault first. http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/TFI_Diagnostic.html this might help.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Sorry not a pickup coil it has the hall effect sensor

 

[Eric Kropp]

It has new timing gears about two years ago. Timing gears wouldn't affect ignition timing, just cam timing. This "lock" or try to start backwards only happens once in a great while, it did it about two years ago. I am more concerned about why the timing marks aren't right. So before I climb down and get dirty, is the harmonic (demonic?) balancer "one" with the pulley that has the timing marks?

 

[Eric Kropp]

I never got one to run "FINE" after jumping time. I doubt it is the chain. Rather the key or something else but not being out of time internally.

I don't think it jumped time. I think maybe the marks have been moved by force, like when it was cranking like crazy and suddenly(and I mean SUDDENLY)stops. I changed the timing to where is "should" be "according to the marks" and then it wouldn't start. When you are looking down at the pulley with the timing light and the white mark is down hill from the pointer is that advanced or retarded?

Eric

 

[bigblue88]

how to set igntion timing

This is how I learned ignition timing, now my trucks got some balls.

 

[Hotrodlincoln]

I didn't think the 2.8 had a harmonic balancer type pulley. But if it does it could be bad and is allowing the outer section to slip just a bit. A slipping balancer shouldn't have any effect on the truck starting though. I'd be inclined to think the distributor is acting squirrelly.

 

[Eric Kropp]

So I fiddled around a while, made sure my marks were good attempted timing it again at 10 deg. BTDC and it all worked out. Not sure what the deal is. Might be what kimcrwbr1 was talking about...sloppy dizzy or something. But it's running good now. Did find the coil wire was really powdery from arc-ing on the coil end of the wire. That took care of a lot of the miss firing and jerky power. See you in 50,000 miles.

Thanks,
Eric

 

[r1hatman]

I didn't know Hansel and Grettle worked on engines, love that hat! LOL