12 Valve Engine and Drivetrain Talk about the 12V engine and drivetrain here. This is for 1994-1998.5 engine and drivetrain discussion only.

Setting timing is driving me NUTS

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Old 02-19-2007, 05:51 PM
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Setting timing is driving me NUTS

I have the dodgeram.info printed out, It says one revolution of the dial is 1 MM but I see it as 2 mm for one revolution. I have the SP500 kit and the way I look at the dial I have static timing set at a little over 15.5 degrees but When I rev the engine it pops,cackles and throws a fit. If I rev it slow it seems ok but If i rev it quick man it sounds bad. So it seems like timing is off to me but edited by admin I set it like it says and have the expensive Snap-on kit.
Its a 97 with an CPL of 2175 and Piers says I need 5.6 for 16* and thats what I was shooting for but its just a tad shy as I see it but close enough.

Anyone know what I am doing wrong?

Last edited by Totallyrad; 02-21-2007 at 07:38 PM. Reason: Profanity
Old 02-19-2007, 09:04 PM
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If you go to the top menu and click on Tech Facts, under 12 valve drivetrain, labeled as valve and pump timing adjustment procedure, there is a writeup that the Web Site Administrator has posted. Hope it helps you.
Old 02-19-2007, 09:25 PM
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the 2mm per revolution of the Snap-On gauge threw me off a bit too, it sounds like if you're getting the popping & cracking from free reving it hard then you're timing is most likely retarded, that's the way my 97' acted before I bumped it up to 16.5, reved fine slowly, but if I stepped on it hard in neutral it would pop & crack really bad & blow blue smoke, sounds to me like it needs to be bumped up more??
Old 02-19-2007, 10:44 PM
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Have you rechecked it? Did it slip?
Old 02-19-2007, 11:08 PM
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I rechecked it today and it seems to be right where I set it. But the thing still runs like the timing is off. I am gonna go over it again tomorrow and double check my self. I need to get this right before I put it in the truck which I want to do real soon.
Old 02-20-2007, 08:23 AM
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what is your fuel pressure?
Old 02-20-2007, 09:25 AM
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Good question, Where do I tap in to test it? I have a Gauge setup I use on Power Strokes so it should work for the Cummins too, I just have never done it.
Old 02-20-2007, 04:38 PM
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at the banjo bolt entering the injection pump!}

if fuel pressure is low, you should check your overflow valve (stretch the spring if needed)
if that doesnt help you lift pump is probably bad...

others might chime in about the correct stock fuel pressure! it should be areound 20 psi!

but yeah it sounds like retarded timing!
Old 02-20-2007, 09:21 PM
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Ok Here is the results, I am still confused.
I made a pointer, Got TDC with a dial indicator (Injector out) and marked the HB at the pointer. Checked timing and It was at 15.2* so I made a jam nut out of the old pump nut and turned the pump to 16.5*. I double a tripple checked and its at 16.5*. Now it does run alot better but still flutters alot free revving.

Now for what is confusing me the most. When I took this engine apart I marked everything with a paint marker, The mark is still about a 1/16th to 1/8th inch away from where the PO had it set. Do I still not have it advanced enough? Stock is 13.5 and I am at 16.5 now and still seems like slow on timing I just dont get it. Please help me figure this out so I can move on with this project.
Old 02-21-2007, 11:30 AM
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Ok I set it back to the marks I made when I took it apart which I had to turn the pump about a 1/16th of an ich at the shaft and Now it is Extrememly Snappy. VEry responsive but now has an eratic idle But runs Way better. It may be just a tad to much now. I still dont understand why. I mean it has to be around 17.5* now. Has Anyone ran into anything like this?
Old 02-21-2007, 12:10 PM
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Fuel pressure was around 6 to 8 at Idle so I stretched the spring just a tad and now its like 23 at Idle. Is that too much? Reving it up it gets to around 35psi
Old 02-21-2007, 02:54 PM
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that sounds good.
Old 02-21-2007, 06:56 PM
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BB:

Have you made any adjustments to the 4K GSK lately or just installed it?

It may not be the timing but the governor. Check that out too. Just a thought.

Paul
Old 02-21-2007, 07:43 PM
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I backed it off just a Tad and bumped the Fuel pressure up and It sounds and runs great right now so I am gonna leave it for a while and see what happens.
Old 02-21-2007, 08:28 PM
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I think you need to be absolutly sure of what pump you have, if someone has swapped it previously you might not have the pump you think you do, the lift can vary severely between the different pumps.


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