I've read about people advancing the pump timing to 15-17 degrees. Is this a do it yourselfer job. If so is there any special tools needed? Would this improve response, and gas mileage?<br>

 

You can do it yourself if you have the tools .....

 

I bought the snap-on tools at a cost of $200. Now if I can just find the time to do it. Everybody claims their truck runs better with it advance and a lot claim a 2 mpg increase.
Michael

 

I usually do all my own repairs but I took my truck to a diesel shop to get it timed. They charged me 1 hr labour which was quite a bit cheaper than buying the tools. They told me it was timed at 8 degrees. I had them set it at 15.5. It definately runs better but is a fair bit noisier. Well worth the money spent.

 

I forgot to mention that when they did my timing they installed a thicker nut on the timing gear so it could be torqued higher than the stock spec. The gear has a tendancy to slip on the shaft.