I know I have gotten a lot of advice on this stuff but I am looking for more of your opinions. I set my timing to 15.5° about 2 weeks ago. Initially I was VERY pleased. The truck smoothed out a whole lot from what it had been running. Now that I have driven it a while I think I would like to change it some more. The truck still runs rough at idle up to about 1000 rpm. It acts like it is a cold morning start all the time. Someone told me to up the timing to 17° but I had also been told not to go past 15.5 or 16°. Please let me know what you think.

 

Mines at 17*, and I've heard that is a good number for the little pumps. It starts fine, just cranks a touch more.

35* this morning, I let the WTS light go off, and she fired right up, idles at about 500 for ~1 min, then around 700-750, where it normally does. I used to plug it in below about 50*, I've been letting it sit unplugged, to see how well it starts when it's COLD. So Far, So Good.

I'm sure some of the real knowledgable guys will chime in soon,
Chris

 

If it's running different now than it was after you first had it timed I would suspect the timing slipped. Quite common if the gear and shaft aren't spotless before torquing.
16.5 works great for me, no idle problems, starting is a hair bit harder.

 

What's the recommended timing for the 180hp pumps? 16*? ('96-'98 auto)

 

no i do not believe that the timing has slipped. it was just such a great improvement that i didnt really notice the slightly rough running. it sounds like i will bump it up to 16.5 ° as soon as i get the chance.

 

I set mine at 16.5* and it starts just fine. All I do is press the throttle about 1/4 of the way to the floor and it fires right up. I have read that about 16.5* is about as high as you should go due to cylinder pressures.
Tom

 

How long does it take to set the timing with the right tools?
thanks, Matt

 

where would I take it to set the timing? Cummins dealer? Local Big Truck Shop? Or can a neighborhood shop do it?
What do you guys suggest...

And also I think 16.5* sounds like a good number for my 160 pump

 

The little 94 pu mp likes higher timming to run better than the bigger pumps. I have had my truck set at 19.6 degrees timming for the last 4 years. coldest it has been started is 9 below and that was a few years ago. started just fine. I have never pluged my truck in and I have owned it since 96.
DM01

 

I think book hours are just a little over 3 for it.

It does require a few special tools so I doubt a neighbor shop would have them.

The not going past 15.5 ot 16* applies to the 215 pump, which you don't have. I'm not saying there aren't 215 pumps above this but most people stop at (or before) 16.

 

Cummins and Dodge won't set your timing above the factory specs as it's illegal due to EPA regulations. Use a small idependent shop but first make sure they've done it before and aren't using your truck as a guinea pig.

 

Stop at 16 , huh? We have trucks on the road everyday at 22, 24 and 26 degrees. Some of the trucks we race are at 30 or more. I know 2 trucks at 24 that drive everyday. I believe the 16 degree is just a Cummins thing. They also said to red line at 3200. Now we're turning 6000. But be sure the shaft is clean. It will slip.

It's just a goverment conspiracy.

..Preston..

 

Ok so do you guys think that 16.5 sounds like a good guess for me then?

To answer a previous question, with the right tools (I used a gauge, holder, and puller which is just a flat plate and two bolts) it doesn't take long at all. From the time I popped the hood until the time I was test driving was about and hour and 15 minutes. REALLY a lot easier than expected.

Hope that helps.

 

Just insane, they must make some good money off that job for 3.1hrs.
http://dodgeram.info/tsb/1994/18-10-94a.htm

 

it takes longer to find tdc than it does to time it.