I need some help on getting the timing advanced on a 96 12 valve.
I am bringing a very nice low mile 2500 ext cab 4x4 truck back from Nevada/Arizona 2200 plus miles so i will need all the MPG i can get . I am looking for a fellow member along the way that has the dial indicator,adapter and DV socket so we can do the job together . This trip will start out from the airport in Las Vagas and i pick up the truck in the laughlin area and head back to Michigan. Their is a shuttle bus to go from the airport to the truck but if anyone is available it could be fun as i would like to meet some fellow members and see your rigs along this trip. The truck has an 8' box with a cap and a frame hitch so if you need a hand with something along the way send me a PM.

What are your thoughts on me picking up a stock fuel plate and grinding a mild #10 to drop in when i get there i am looking more for MPG and driveability than hotrod power we all know what these fuel prices are doing also thinking about a 3k GSK i am a little nervous about messing with the truck until i get home sure don't want do fixes along the road i will have some tools along for the ride.
Give me your idea's check my wanted classifieds and let me know if you would like to get together.
Thanks Rattlerbob

 

I'd say if you're gonna mess with anything, set the timing, and wait till you get home to do the rest. You said you're after mileage. Plate isn't going to increase mileage (nor will it hurt it if you drive normal), and if you're running 70mph all the way home, stock GSK should do that for you. I hate working bugs out on the road, so the less you change, less likely for something to pop up, IMO. Plus having a full stock of tools for when something unexpected happens is nice.

 

Thanks for the input Tate for sure i want to get the timing bumped the sooner in the trip the better. I was thinking about the plate and springs more for towing through the hills also this will be a long drive with a stocker might need to pass a few fords,chevys,ricers you know several at a time otherwise cruise at 65.

What do the rest of you guys think i know some of you out west have the timing tools i have the cpl and the plunger lift chart a half an hour a beer or 2 should be ready to roll . If you are in my area and need a hand you will get it.

 

Where can I find a plunger lift chart? I'm giving my buddy a hand changing the timing on a 98, but I've never done it ( I've read over how you do it though).

 

Go to www.dodgeram.org left side click diesel engines and on the next page right side click on engine timing that will get you to the chart then just print that page.

 

some may say its bad advice, but if you pop the gear off the pump and roll the engine back just a hair. "that means about 1 inch movement on the harmonic balancer" and tighten the gear back up to about 175-200 ftlbs. they say 144, but that seems to be not enough to me. 1" is about equal to 5 degrees and that should put you right where you want to be at about 17.5 degrees. this is my opinion should be much easier and better than taking your pump apart and risk losing-damaging something on the road. or just drive it..lol you would be surprised how much 5mph can make in fuel milege improvements. and fewer stops will help a lot.

 

That would be more like 11 degrees. On a 9.75" damper, each degree is .085" of circumference. I'd be much more inclined to leave well enough alone unless you have a dial. Much harder to verify what kind of timing you have without a good way to measure it. Especially on a different truck. You don't know where the timing is at currently, nor where the pin in the pump is set to. Pin could be anywhere from 12.5 to 18 degrees, depending if a shop has played with it, and who knows where the timing is on the truck. Could be advanced to 16 already, might have slipped to 5 degrees.

 

Tate you are correct the truck and pump i know for a fact has not been messed with since it left the factory timing may be low or slipped a little but it can't be off much because it runs normal.
I know the proper way is to measure plunger lift that is the only way i ever do it and that is why all i need is someone with the tools out west to work with me i find this very strange and hard to understand not one person here on DTR between Nevada and Michigan has offered to help me with such a simple job . The increase in the cost of fuel has already added $100+ dollars to my trip plus another $50 on the plane ticket so for sure i won't be driving too fast.

If you check out my wanted classified ad you will understand why have not left yet but it is getting more expensive by the day and even more important to get the timing advanced as soon into the trip as possible.

 

Its a bit out of your way, but you can come up to Calgary. I've got the tools, you're welcome to it.

 

Hey thanks for the offer Tate but this truck has been garage kept since new and lived in medford oregon in the summer and nevada in the winter so it is allergic to road salt might have to wait until june to take the northern route and need about an extra 1k for fuel by then I can tell you and i would have some fun for sure .

How much snow do you have on the ground now ? Our's is finally stating to go down but i am sure we will get at least one more blast we got a 1 inch dusting tonight .

 

RattlerBob I see that you are in michigan and the dusting of snow leads me to believe that you are in Northern MI?

 

Actually south and east of you Dan i am at the tip of the thumb . Been over your way before east jordan, waloon lake real nice lake and very long for boating did ok fishin. In Advance does the bar ******* up north still exist ?? They had some good ribs .

 

Boy it has been years since you were here. *****'s closed prob. 10 years ago or more, but yeah it is a real pretty place to live. Too bad there arent any jobs.

 

Snow? We haven't had any snow for weeks. Spring time is here!

 

still got at least 20 inches on the ground