how about this one, it just makes my head hurt.?

on a 83 ford bronco, a co worker was getting it ready for smog. was trying to get timing checked and adjusted to spec but the first guy that checked it said that it was off by 97 degrees! the owner of the truck came back to me and repeated this to me, i told him that if this were true, the engine would not run. the second shop that he went to adjusted timing to where it should be and now idle speed is low and the engine runs hot. what are your thoughts on this.

2009-03-17T23:17:27Z

it has not made it in for smog yet, and i do not know if it will pass with the running conditions. the engine overheats in a short period of time.

2009-03-18T20:18:52Z

as i said before timing according to the harmonic ballancer is dead on during this period.

2009-03-18T22:34:02Z

to continue on, timing has to be set within a window, like 14 degrees btdc +- 5 as an example. at this point i am curious if the harmonic balancer is not part of the problem. if the inner ring or outer ring has slipped on the rubber isolator, that could explain it. but i did take a look at that and it dos not look like that has happened, and a replacement new is 140.00 so we do not want to throw parts at the problem until it goes away.

2009-03-19T15:54:38Z

timing is checked as part of the smog inspection. if it is off, emissions will be higher than allowed.

2009-03-19T15:55:48Z

timing is checked as part of the smog inspection. if it is off, emissions will be higher than allowed. and no it did not pass because the truck will not maintain the 25 mph on the dyno. i am unsure if it is related or a dumb driver at that point.

2009-03-20T15:45:02Z

it is the original ballancer, so it cannot be the wrong one, although the timing ring could have slipped. as i said before timing was set to spec according to a timing light, it really does not matter of the distributor is a tooth off or 500 teeth off, timing is still set up by the distributor.

gunner2009-03-18T21:37:09Z

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wrong balancer

CHARLIE2009-03-18T11:37:13Z

What are the circumstances leading up to the necessity of checking the timing? Find a manual, library, local auto parts store, internet etc...... 1- locate #1- cylinder, remove plug wire and plug. Use a small piece of wood, similar to a chop stick, stick it in the cylinder. Some times it is helpful to have a friend hold the stick so it doesn't bind between the head and the piston. Turn the engine over by hand at the harmonic balancer (preferred) or bump the starter a little at a time. When the stick is stick out all the way this is TDC. #2- Remove distributor cap, and look for a mark inside the distributor or the cap. Check your harmonic balancer and see if the timing marks line up. If they don't, #3- rotate engine another 360 degrees. When at TDC and the timing marks are lined-up, the rotor inside the distributor should be within 5 degrees or so of the #1 position of the distributor. If the truck is over heating, your timing is too advanced. #3- loosen distributor hold down clamp and rotate the distributor according to the manual to set the timing. #4- Check and make sure the harmonic balancer has only 1 set of timing marks on it. If this doesn't cure problem, I would have to know the circumstances leading up to why you checked the timing to begin with.
Before having your emisions checked, put a piece of cardboard in front of your radiator so the engine runs hotter. Use premium gas as well.
GOOD LUCK!

ClassicMustang2009-03-18T06:55:03Z

set if back so it runs right, then take it to a pass or don't pay, if it fail because of the timing you may have to get a new crank pulley or get the old one re-indexed..

I think those have a distributor sprout that has to be pulled before you time it..

ADDED:
If it won't run at normal settings, but will run half *** at what you say,97 degrees off, then the timing chain has probably jumped a tooth or two.. One way to check is by compression test, all cylinders will be down, maybe at 100 or even below that.

Elais F2009-03-18T11:36:31Z

it sounds to me that they over advanced the timing, and when an engine idles really slow the coefficient of friction between the piston rings and the cylinder walls increases causing more heat to go along with the increased heat of over advanced timing. At low speed the oil pump doesnt generate very much pressure only compounding the issue. This is why it is running hot. as for the timing, I suggest bringing the engine to top dead center on the compression stroke, turn the distributor housing until the rotor lines up with the number one plug wire and start it up. make sure to either scribe the timing marks with a sharp pick or use a light paint on them to make the marks more visible, and set the timing from there.

Scott M2009-03-18T06:01:41Z

Did it pass smog? If yes, then change the timing to where you believe it needs to be. If not, take it to yet another shop. Find a shop that knows OLD cars, not the new ones.

Those testers are drones that run the smog machine and follows what is says. I'm surprised they even know what a distributor is. Owners can't affort do have their best techs working a SMOG tester.

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