Timing a 1994 turbo diesel

The_Josh_Bear

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My guess is because retarding the timing moves the combustion heat back, putting more heat into the exhaust and less into the piston itself. This is why some say ‘EGTs are just a number’

Moving that heat into the exhaust will spool up the turbo better, more heat moving is more energy moving. And with more exhaust force, the turbo will in turn push more air into the engine, an ingredient for better power.
This is essentially what Justin at R&D Idi Performance has said for years. He always likes the turbo engines around 6*BTDC, saying that it drives the turbo a little harder to help it spool up faster. I'm pretty sure Wes at Classic Diesel Designs is of the same mindset.
Miked, I have the same problem on my 94 factory turbo, It was smoking, especially on start up. I put new injectors in, and a turbo cartridge, then it smoked more.
Then I got all the tools to check the timing. It was retarded about 4 degress at 2000rpm. (The static marks were lined up though). Now I have it to 4 degrees advanced but can't move it anymore, like you. It doesn't smoke at all anymore.
Did you ever try 8.5 degrees, and did it make a difference from 4 degrees advanced ?
As far as getting more timing out of the IP, I find it best to loosen ALL nuts for injectors and IP. That makes a big difference, then you can get all the movement your setup will allow. Also use a crescent wrench on the square block at the front side of IP or some people even have a fancy wrench that fits around the body.

Bear in mind that at some point, a worn out(or poorly rebuilt) IP can run out of adjustment space and still have retarded timing. Meaning there's a point where your inability to turn the pump isn't the factor.
 

Turnshredder

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Gotcha, I'll give it a try. This is the original pump, never rebuilt with 200K on it. The injector lines are super tight/stuck, it is going to be fun.

Yes, may end up having to get pump rebuilt. Thanks
 

miked

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turnshredder
I have not tried to advance the timing since I timed it back in Jul. I has been running good.
 

DougBoy66

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I am having trouble with mine as well. Just trying to get the initial start on new build same engine as Miked. I haven't been able to get it to fire yet I have a pretty good fuel leak but it is in the return lines. Pretty sure I nicked an O-ring. If someone could tell me what lines I should have lined up here for initial timing?
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DougBoy66

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The two that are close
Thank you! I am using the old IP so it may be somewhat tired. I ordered a complete timing kit; a DTI 3300 at the begining of November. I can't get any answers from the. Talked to them a few times on the phone, they are nice folks it seems but, it always ends with " I have to check with the tech and call you back. They never have. Dont reply to emails. Guess I got off on a tangent there
 

The_Josh_Bear

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If the IP is good it should start exactly as pictured. I've never seen an IP that didn't need about 1/4" advance from the stock lines though, FYI. But they can be all over the place... I have no idea how they "calibrate" the static timing but it's not consistent across rebuilders.

If you aren't already: crack the IP side of the lines and crank 15 seconds at a time till you get fuel there. Once I had such a hard time starting an older IP that I nearly killed a starter even doing it correctly, and ended up having to pull-start the thing and dump it into 3rd gear to get it to fire. Worked OK after that for a while but was dying. A good IP will self-prime and doesn't even need injector lines cracked! I know, because I have one from Russ and I've run out of fuel(uphill didn't switch tanks fast enough) or had fuel supply issues a dozen times. Each time I can switch tanks, let the E-pump run for a minute, and it cranks to life in 15-30 seconds. Compared to all the struggles I've had over much of 20 years with bad pumps, it's a dream!!!

Let's face it: we want to see that beautiful rig purr to life and drive! -Flame Thr
 

IDIBRONCO

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Once I had such a hard time starting an older IP that I nearly killed a starter even doing it correctly,
I've had that happen several times on the earlier 6.2s. The ones with the mechanical lift pumps could be a BEAR to get started the first time. I've replaced several starters before they would start.
ended up having to pull-start the thing and dump it into 3rd gear to get it to fire.
I only had to do this with one Ford out of all of the trucks that I worked on. We used to use WD-40. That didn't work, Ether? Nope! Finally, we decided to pull start the truck. I was driving out shop truck, the foreman was in the customer's truck. I though that we were going out to the street, but he dumped the clutch in our parking lot and the truck fired right up. It started every time just great. Even cold the next morning. I have no idea what caused that to happen. I can even remember that it was a red and white Bull Nose with a flat bed. That's not too shabby for me considering that it was before June, 1999.
 

DougBoy66

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Thank you @The_Josh_Bear and @IDIBRONCO . I think I am getting good fuel to the IP, I have the billet rail from R&D and I have #1 o-rings puking fuel. So as soon as I get done with work today (who am I kidding I will end up watching football all evening). Tomorrow I will reinstall the fuel rail and hopefully be without un intentional leaks. I may advance the pump timing some. Think I will give up on DTI 3300s from the manufacturer and get one that is available on that -starts with a vowel- auction site so I can get some closer to accurate timing. I will let you know how it turns out. hopefully loud and a little smokey:Thumbs Up
 

Clb

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Remember that those lines are for the oem factory i.p.
And mean nothing for i.p. #2
You may see a spacing of 1/16th inch or more on the factory pump with age...
Age is a bigger issue than miles.
For example my 93 now has 61k on it from the factory.
I was fighting mpg bigtime and power was down.
It averaged 14 @37 k when I got it, by 60k it was 8mpg.
Talked to Russ ( R.I.P.) about it and his take was it had degraded.
Justin concurred and built me an 80/90.
Night n day difference back to mid teens in mpg, but the added power is an evil mistress as the skinny pedal is SOOO Much fun now I have to drive miss daisy to get hi teens...
Carryon
 

DougBoy66

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Thank you all for all the advice. I hope to get a new IP soon. I don't know how much time is on the one in it when I bought the truck. Hopefully this on can get me rolling for now
 

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