The_Josh_Bear
Full Access Member
Don't forget easier starts too! Very retarded timing makes really easy and smooth starts because the burn is hot and inefficient. I played around years ago with timings and I was really surprised how easily she started and quietly she ran. That's the end of the positives, of course!Timing on these trucks is more important than most think. Also the timing changes with aging injectors. Timing that is off can cause hard starts, overheating, lack of power, and poor mpg to name a few.
Having a timing device is really not optional, it is critical. There may be some who did it enough by timing machine to notice key sounds and get very close by ear On a solid running truck. But that would likely only be 3-5% of the members here.
To IDIbronco’s point, to many think because there truck starts and runs their timing is on, likely it is off 2-5 degrees. The $200 investment in a timing machine is well worth the reward.
I don't remember the number but I want to say 7° retarded from nominal for a total of 1° BTDC.