olforrester
TYF Newbie
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2010
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is there a way to check the timing without a timing gun
timing?
- Thread starter olforrester
- Start date
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You did say 1993, correct?
From what you described, you are way off on timing, not just a few degrees.
The easiest way to verify if you are close is to turn the engine over to line up the timing marks on the pulley/vibration damper and the zero line on the timing cover pointer.
I normally just use a breaker bar with a deep socket on the end of the crank shaft. When you have the marks lined up, pop the cap on the distributor and check on which post the rotor is pointing at.
The rotor turns clockwise. If you are on the power stroke, it should be pointing at spark plug wire #1 (drivers side front cylinder). If it is pointing at #4 spark plug, (2nd cylinder back on the passenger side) it is in the exhaust stroke.
Turn it one more time if needed to get to the #1 plug. If the rotor is half way between the #1 post and the #2 post (first cylinder on passenger side), I would lift the distributor out and advance it one tooth and replace it. There should also be a line on the base plate of the distributor, that lines up with the rotor while pointing at #1 cylinder @ TDC. That should cure your problem.
If you find a timing light, be sure to unplug the tan wire with a black stripe, near the relay cover, while checking timing. And of course hook it back up when done.
That wire is for the Electronic Spark Timing control. Kind of like the old vacuum advance…….
From what you described, you are way off on timing, not just a few degrees.
The easiest way to verify if you are close is to turn the engine over to line up the timing marks on the pulley/vibration damper and the zero line on the timing cover pointer.
I normally just use a breaker bar with a deep socket on the end of the crank shaft. When you have the marks lined up, pop the cap on the distributor and check on which post the rotor is pointing at.
The rotor turns clockwise. If you are on the power stroke, it should be pointing at spark plug wire #1 (drivers side front cylinder). If it is pointing at #4 spark plug, (2nd cylinder back on the passenger side) it is in the exhaust stroke.
Turn it one more time if needed to get to the #1 plug. If the rotor is half way between the #1 post and the #2 post (first cylinder on passenger side), I would lift the distributor out and advance it one tooth and replace it. There should also be a line on the base plate of the distributor, that lines up with the rotor while pointing at #1 cylinder @ TDC. That should cure your problem.
If you find a timing light, be sure to unplug the tan wire with a black stripe, near the relay cover, while checking timing. And of course hook it back up when done.
That wire is for the Electronic Spark Timing control. Kind of like the old vacuum advance…….
