Hi,
I could use some tips on getting my timing set on my '90 f150 5spd 300

Trying to get it to pass smog.
Truck was running perfectly fine.
Failed smog due to "timing issue" as marks were way off.
Replaced Harmonic balancer.
Truck running fine. However, timing marks off by about 10 degrees from the "10" mark. Meaning it was on 20ish.
Has to be within 3 degrees of 10 to pass smog.
Ran fine.

Tried adjusting timing to get it into spec. at the 10-degree mark.
It runs crappy. Popping in the exhaust on rev down. More sluggish when driving.
If I get it perfectly on the 10 mark it idles up and down and sometimes stalls.

Any suggestions?
All vacuum lines are new.

My battery is a bit old. Sometimes has trouble turning over. Could this be contributing?
Alternator is newish and upgraded with the mod.

Thanks!

 

Not knowing your level of knowledge, was the SPOUT plug pulled when setting / verifying this 10deg BTDC setting?

Offhand on my 5.0L with the same 10deg BTDC base timing setting, wasn't unusual to see 20deg BTDC with a bit of bouncing around with the SPOUT plug in and idling. The engine was running and performing just fine.

Not seeing the battery condition as an issue here.

Never had to deal with smog tests here just that the smog stuff was visibly in place, curious why they care where things are set as long as the tailpipe putt-putts meet or lower their limits...?

Tell me this ain't happening in the cereal state of California, known for its abundance of fruits, nuts, and flakes :-)~

 

Thx for the input.

Yes. Took Spout/plug out.

Got engine to op. temp.
Looked at timing which was at 20 ish
Pulled plug.
Turned dist. cap clockwise.
Checked timing which was then closer to 10 degree, but engine was struggling to not stall.
Put plug back in
Engine was then more stable, but it was still having issues with idling consistently.
And as mentioned when test drove it I notice sluggishness on acceleration.

Will try again today.

Yes, Cali. Smog is massive sphincter cramp.
thx

 

Is it possible that the mark on the new H. Balancer is incorrect?
I Got the Pioneer DA3000 off Rock Auto.

Fiddling with it again.
Getting the timing mark close at about 14 degrees. But still stumbles and idle is up and down still.
CEL is on also when before this it was not.

Going to try to check TDC and see Where that puts the mark.

Thx

 

I suppose possible the timing marks are off, would seem really odd for a new balancer.

I forget what the static mark attached to the block looks like, but does it appear damaged or bent or otherwise not right?

Suggest you're on the right track with checking the actual TDC of #1 against where things line up with the marks.

A bit baffled, as the timing spec should be the sweet spot in the range where things run good. Here, you're running good elsewhere and having issues trying to dial in to spec.

 

The pic is with engine at TDC, and #1 piston.
The mark should be at 0 in the little view finder, correct?
There are no other marks on the balancer.

I rotated engine twice to be sure I had it on TDC.
At this point I'm thinking I'll carve a new mark in the balancer to line up with "0"
Is that a horrible idea?

 

First, you're in a place I haven't been before - e.g. no actual experience here at this level where things don't line up like they should. Was hoping another forum member would chime in with actual or more recent experience.

Trying to picture where the second photo is showing?

Suggest maybe first painting / chalking the mark on the pulley aligning with TDC and trying it out, before actually scribing it in - just in case.

Counting up from the stamped degree settings where each valley appears to be 2 degrees, seems that maybe TDC is the first or second valley down from the peephole?

Still baffled with a new part apparently being this far off?

 

Thx for your expeditious response!
Second pic is of the #1 cylinder plug hole. you can see the cylinder almost to the hole....it was just an fyi pic.

Yes, I agree after looking at it again that the mark should be at the first valley not the "view finder".
Good idea to test by marking before scribing. Will do that and see.

Yes, I don't understand how a new part could be off like this. But if it was accurate the engine wouldn't run because so far off.
I'll report back.
Thx again.

 

Used white out and made a line at what would be TDC '0".

It definitely runs much better and the mark is pretty much on spec... though it does bounce some.
CEL still on.
Going to drive it for a couple a 3 days and see if that has any impact.
will report back.

 

Scratching my head.
With the "spout" out the timing is on 10 BTDC
When I put the "spout" in it moves to 20 BTDC or so. Sometimes bouncing closer to spec at 14 BTDC.

Truck is running pretty well.
Any thoughts?
thx