Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Engine Tech => Topic started by: CoogarXR on May 24, 2009, 07:48:49 PM

Title: 2.3t timing
Post by: CoogarXR on May 24, 2009, 07:48:49 PM
I can't seem to get this timing right...

85 Cougar, 2.3 turbo, all stock (check the "alright, I'm stumped" thread for more details)

I unplug the spout, set to 10* btdc, and it runs ok, but when I step on it, it clatters. Same when climbing hills, etc. I backed it off to 8*, maybe a little better, but still clattering. If I forget and leave the spout disconnected, it boggs, but doesn't clatter.

My fuel pressure is 40. Idle is about 1000-1100. Plugs, wires, cap, rotor, and ignition module are all new. Injectors have been removed and cleaned.

What am I doing wrong?

CoogarXR
Title: 2.3t timing
Post by: jangus on May 24, 2009, 08:07:08 PM
Are you hearing detonation, or valvetrain noise? How many pounds of boost is the turbo putting out when it starts to chatter? What type of plugs did you install?
Title: 2.3t timing
Post by: CoogarXR on May 24, 2009, 08:16:40 PM
Detonation is what I am hearing. I never really correlated the boost gage with the clattering. The boost never goes much past 10. As far a plugs, I think I put in autolites (I got whatever was cheap since it wasn't running, and I figured I would foul 'em).

I just checked, with the spout connected, the timing is about 22*...

CoogarXR
Title: 2.3t timing
Post by: jangus on May 24, 2009, 08:29:17 PM
That's about right on the timing.  Something else is causing your detonation issue.  The possibility of poor gas and or oil in the intake system are distinct possibilities.  How old is the gas?  Also, these engines don't tolerate detonation well.  The detonation issue needs to be sorted out.
Title: 2.3t timing
Post by: CoogarXR on May 24, 2009, 09:23:03 PM
For now, I backed it off to 5* and it seems to only clatter if I floor it. I'm done for the night, it's dark out now :)

The gas is brand new, 1 gallon of 87 octane and two gallons of 93 octane (what can I say, I had two small gas cans, one already had 87 in it).

Don't worry, I don't plan on driving it much, I still don't have plates on it yet. I just borrow my 83's plate and make a quick trip around the block. I have probably put 3 miles on it total since I got it home.

I'll prolly run codes again tomorrow, just to see what it has to say for itself.

CoogarXR
Title: 2.3t timing
Post by: ipsd on May 25, 2009, 11:08:37 AM
You have the timing set right if you are at 10btdc with the spout out. With the spout in 22Btdc is about right. Also unless it has be removed or unhooked you have a Knock sensor that should dial the timing back to keep you from detonating. Also with everything set correctly you shouldn't have any knock. So check your cam timing. Also check fuel pressure to make sure you have what you need. Also check that fuel pressure is raising 1lb to 1lb of boost. Might need a Fuel pressure Regulator.

Stuckman