I'm unsure if my tone wheel mod increased my fuel economy.

My truck seemed pretty thirsty on the weekend, but I was pulling 9000 lbs of 5th wheel into a really strong side wind and then I did about 20 stop and gos in heavy city traffic with the trailer. Yuck.

I can't see how advancing the timing with a tone wheel could decrease fuel economy unless it over advanced it and I doubt that is happening. I was pretty happy with the tank I did as stock. I didn't see any diff with the first tank with the tone ring mod.

The jury is out for me.

I am unconvinced the sensor mod is a good way to go. First, I don't think it advances 2 degrees and next, it moves the center of the sensor off line from the tone wheel. I'm wondering exactly how much it actually changes the timing.

BTW: I find it hard to think of a scenario where the overhead computer would say mileage has decreased and yet it would go up. The overhead computer gets its numbers from the PCI ECM bus, which in turn gets them from the pressure/duration firing table for the injectors. If the ECM says the fuel economy went down, it is because the ECM is firing the injectors for a longer duration and/or at a higher pressure. Either way, that delivers more fuel.

 

The correct side.......

I filed off about 1/16th. The tone ring advanced by about a tooth (Yes I even marked it)

 

If you have more noise (pinging), you've overadvanced it. Back it down just a hair.

 

I have seen a mod on one of the other forums where the timing wheel behind the crank pulley was removed, there are three bolts through it and an alignment pin. The alignment pin hole then was milled (could be filed or cut with a dremel tool) to allow it to be rotated clockwise facing the front of the motor, I believe was the case, so that it advanced the timing by 2 degrees. The required cut in the alignment hole was only about 3/32 inch. This supposably improves fuel MPG and power noticably. I have not had a chance top try it yet - but think I may invest in a spare timing wheel direct from Cummins (without the DC markup) to try the modification on. If I run across the other posting, I will either update or make an additional post with that info.

Just went and looked - it was in one of member "powerstroke"'s posts - if you look him up, and look at his photo gallery, he has pics of the modified timing sensor wheel. Looks like the cheapest way to accomplish this -

Neil

 

"I have seen a mod on one of the other forums where the timing wheel behind the crank pulley was removed, there are three bolts through it and an alignment pin."

4 bolts, not 3 bolts. They use a 15mm socket.

"The alignment pin hole then was milled (could be filed or cut with a dremel tool) to allow it to be rotated clockwise facing the front of the motor, I believe was the case, so that it advanced the timing by 2 degrees."

It is a slot, not a hole.

"The required cut in the alignment hole was only about 3/32 inch."

40 thou. Not anywhere near 3/32, which is 90 thou.

"This supposably improves fuel MPG and power noticably."

The jury is still out on this as far as I am concerned.

"Just went and looked - it was in one of member "powerstroke"'s posts - if you look him up, and look at his photo gallery, he has pics of the modified timing sensor wheel. Looks like the cheapest way to accomplish this -"

Check out my gallery. I've posted several times in this thread discussing the mod.

 

Just for $hits and giggles, I pulled my tone wheel again and modified the dowel hole and the four crankshaft bolt holes this time to produce about a 4degree advance.

The result? 30MPG!!!

Just kidding......

I was expecting to hear some pinging, but none so far. The truck is definitely harder to start when warm though. I haven't driven that much yet but I don't see any additional improvement in mileage with possibly a slight decrease there. I might set it back to the 2 degrees advance I had it set at before if that proves to be the case. Also, SOTP performance might be slightly improved at WOT at around 2500rpms.

Anybody want to donate to some dyno runs on my truck looking at 0-2-4 degrees advance on the tone wheel? With me being back to school in a mid-life career crisis, my wife certainly won't allow me to do that myself, hence the freebie nature of this mod.

 

Anyone have any idea how much advancing of the timing occurs with boxes like Juice, Quad etc.??? I just changed my fuel filter this past Saturday and the power my truck produces seems much smoother now. It was pretty dirty; had about 10k on it!!! Still would like to know if anyone with a Juice or similar box has done this mod!!!

 

SoCal-305,
The dyno numbers would be interesting. I'm willing to chip in.

MikeyB

 

I am gonna install this mod when I get home. But plan on Juice w/Attitude soon, and eventually an EZ stack. Should I run this mod with boxes/stacks?

Thanks.

 

I know the edge is not a problem because that is just a presure box. don't know where all the juice power comes from. maybe timing and duration? can't remeber off the top of my head. I guess it would depend on how much timing if any the box has to start with. I would proably call edge on that one as I would trust there advice the most. you can proably search up and find out exactly where the power comes from and make a pretty good guess.

for example the quazilla stuff adds timining but he said the extra two degree's was fine.

 

I went on a 235 mile trip down to Wilmington NC today. This was the first trip after instaling the modified camshaft sensor and changing to Amsoil 15-40. I had a mixture of regular diesel and soydiesel in the tank. I also had 12 oz. of Power Service and 4 oz. of MM. I had some knocking under light throdle. I am not sure about the power because I was trying for fuel mileage and this is the results 18.8 on the computer and 20.5 hand caculated. So far so good, but I really will not know for sure if it has helped much until I get out on the interstate and run 70 for several miles or tow my travel trailer again.

Bill

 

Has anybody tried this mod with the Ramifier? If so, what were the results?

 

Just did my first mileage check with the crankshaft sensor mod. Appears that I picked up about 1mpg for around town driving. Wish it was much better but I'm still pleased with the other positive attributes that the mod has done.

MikeyB

 

Just installed the sensor, around town + 4mpg, and I can start from a dead stop in third without slipping the clutch. I am going on a trip on the highway on tuesday, I'll find out then what the highway miles are then....

 

Odie,
Yup.....I moved mine about 2 deg. and the following SEEMS to be the case now: Lower boost needed at a given speed, Lower EGTs, somewhat better mileage (on the order of 1 to 1.5 mpg.,even more grunt which = more fun). I put on 372 miles yesterday, which included some very high passes (highest was 11,542), hammering it pretty hard, and alot of cruising. Hand calcs to 19.44/gal with a 04.5, auto, 3.73 diff. Best i've seen. Nothing else changed...when I dial in some Ramifier, it acts accordingly. Lovin It!
My feeling echos that mentioned previously that the 04 and newer should benefit the most because of the post-tdc injection pulse.
After hearing the mention of it on this site (GREAT site), what REALLY gets me fired up is the possibility of SOMEDAY having the potential to dial our CTDs back to running on 3 cylinders while cruising.....Git It Done!