Van engine timing??

[FarmerFrank]

So my new truck has turned into a monster, figuratively speaking.

After replacing the water pump, oil cooler o rings, re doing the fuel supply system and finding out the ip was on its last leg it decided to let the head gaskets go.

I pulled the valve covers and the valve train had an excessive amount of wear so instead of new head gaskets in the truck I deiced to put a good running 180k mile 7.3 I had from a uhaul truck.

I was attempting to time it today because it seems a tad lazy and I got getting crazy readings. Like -60* and -400*. I got frustrated and walked away.

Just now eating dinner it hit me, vans were factory timed on #4 so should I put my line clamp on it instead? I also found that the timing hole for the mag pick up is loose on the timing tab, how far off do you think that will throw of the timing?

 

[riotwarrior]

Can be timed off of 1 or 4 won't matter which of the two you choose.

Loose fitting mag probe hole not good, sounds like it wasn't getting a good reading to me.

Only a couple business cards thickness between the mag probe and harmonic balancer.

What are you using for timing purposes out of curiosity?

 

[icanfixall]

We can actually time off any cylinder but.. We need to know what that cylinder offset is. I have that information round here somewhere. Just don't recall seeing it lately. As for the loose tube on the tab. Clean is really good with brakeclean and apply some JB Weld all the way around the tube and the tab. When it sets up you will be fine as frogs hair for timing. I also would like to know what device your using to time with. As posted. We can use 1 or 4 cylinder to time by. they are both the same readings. Now look at the intake manifold ports near the heads where the 2 bolts are for each cylinder. The number is cast into the manifold ports so its easy to know what cylinder your working on. The drivers side is even and the passenger side is odd number cylinders. I send 3 business cards taped together to be used as a shim between the damper and the mag probe. You just slip the cards under the tab and press the mag probe in till it touches the cards. Then remove them before starting the engine. I forgot to remove them once when I was testing this fitment and found the cards all over the place. So I tape them together and make sure I don't forget them..

 

[FarmerFrank]

AHHH!! How did a farmer not think of JB weld?? I'm trying to figure out how to cut the rivet and weld on a new tab in the truck!!

I have a later kent Moore j33300 (??) with the green screen.

I was having troubles getting the mag probe in the hole, like it had a little dent on the top of it. So I used a 5/16 bolt to clean out the big dirt, then a 5/16 drill bit. It was already loose prior to this so I then had to take a center punch and give it a few "love taps" to open it up enough to fit the probe in.

Ill get it cleaned off and gooped up tonight and try it again tomorrow.

On a little side note... Do any of you guys know where I can get a new little spring thing for the end of the mag probe??

 

[icanfixall]

That tall skinny probe tube can be an issue. Another member some time back went to time his engine and found that tube missing all together. I suggested a short piece of copper tubing and JB Weld to fix it. sure nuff worked fine. Whats wrong with the spring on your mag probe. When they bend down all you need to do is slip a small screwdriver blade under them and pry the legs up. then your good to go once again.

 

[FarmerFrank]

Wellllll.... I was having trouble getting the probe in so I slipped it off and set it on the core support.

Just then a bald eagle swooped down and grabbed it.... I'm just glad he missed me.

So I need a new one.

 

[laserjock]

Are you yanking our chain?? That would be hilarious. I'm not sure you could make that up.

 

[icanfixall]

The kent moore j3300 and j33300-a meters are great meters. They do all the work figuring out the rpm and degrees of timing for you. no need for a timing lite shining on a tab. these meters will time that method too. Parts are available for them but they are expensive. The mag probe is about $375.00 each. Sure glad we only need one. Just make sure the mag probe is spaced off the damper wheel by 3 business cards thickness. I have found thats about the right gap to use. Cleaning out the probe location at the timing tab is very important. Thats why I include a 5/16 inch drill bit so you can manually hand run it thru the tube. Then wash it out and install the probe. I suppose some oil on the probe may help too or some die electric grease to improve the contact connection in there. So an eagle ran off with your spring. Now I would have believed a crow took it but not an eagle.. But its funny. If you have a large speaker they have huge magnets in the back of them. Just drag that on the ground and see what comes up. I have some new ones of those springs around here but have not seen them is a while. I will see if I can find them and contact you.