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Topic: timing- what am i doing wrong? (Read 922 times) previous topic - next topic

timing- what am i doing wrong?

I bought myself a timing light.  I wanted to set it to 10* as a reference point (I found it was already there).  And I wanted to drive the car at various settings in order to learn the driving differences at different settings.    here is the procedure i used (and i got a full tank of hi octane 2 days ago).

*made the marks on the crank pulley more visible with white out.  i marked TDC, 10 & 12 to start with.  I figured these marks would be good to get me from 9 to 13.
*start up to operating temp
*Turn off
*take spout off
*start up
*set to 11* (or whatever number) using light
*turn off-  reconnect spout.

My problem is that, now, no matter WHERE it is set I get pinging / chatter in the 3000 to 3500 area.  If the spout is NOT connected i get no pinging of any kind.  when i reconnect the spout i get the pinging starting right around 3000.    i double checked and quadruple checked that my white out marks are correct.    I made a mark at 10* before i started,  found that it was, in fact, already set there.  Even now when i put it back to 10* i get the pinging after reinstalling spout. 

btw this is 1986 5.0 stock except for exhaust.  mustang headers,  no cats.

timing- what am i doing wrong?

Reply #1
Well of course it's not pinging with the SPOUT diconnected.  There is no timing advance with it out, and timing is very retarded.

How many miles on the engine?  How old are plugs/wires/etc?
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon-  '81 Granada GL 2dr

timing- what am i doing wrong?

Reply #2
Engine has 156k.    Plugs, wires, cap and rotor  less than 2000 miles ago.

and just to clarify-    prior to me playing with the timing there was no pinging at any RPM's.

timing- what am i doing wrong?

Reply #3
Is/was your spout corroded?  Maybe you never had any timing advance and the ping is from a weak fuel pump? 
My car is a gravity hybrid.  The gasoline engine gets me up the hills, and gravity gets me down.

timing- what am i doing wrong?

Reply #4
88CougarGT- funny you should mention the fuel pump.  i listened outside at the rear of the car and i do hear the fuel pump.  it's a high pitched  "whining".    so that's one more thing to add to the immediate to do list.   

if lack of fuel is causing the pinging,  shouldn't i be getting a code for lean condition,  though?

timing- what am i doing wrong?

Reply #5
I never seen a lean code, not sure there is one. try less than 9 see if it still pings, The chain may be a bit worn and you thought you had 10.
Old Grey Cat to this.88 Cat, 5.0 HO, CW mounts, mass air, CI custom cam, afr165's, Tmoss worked cobra intake, BBK shorty's,off road h pipe, magnaflow ex. T-5,spec stage 2 clutch, 8.8 373 TC trac loc, che ajustables with bullits on the rear. 11" brakes up front. +

 

timing- what am i doing wrong?

Reply #6
Maybe borrow a fuel pressure test set from autozone and check your fuel pressure.  Also, I had a similar problem with some  gas.  Has it been sitting for a while? Maybe a couple gals of premium will help.
My car is a gravity hybrid.  The gasoline engine gets me up the hills, and gravity gets me down.

timing- what am i doing wrong?

Reply #7
did you pay attention to where it was originally and not pinging? and how far away that was from where you have it set now?
1988 Thunderbird sport
2004 Ford F150 Lariat
2008  Chevrolet Cobalt Sport
2007 Suzuki DR-Z400S dual sport/Supermoto
1988 Thunderbird LX - sold
1988 Mercury Cougar XR-7 with GST kit - gone

timing- what am i doing wrong?

Reply #8
it was at 10 before i did anything.    now when i put it back at 10 it starts pinging around 3000.    i'll try kitz's thought,  and try 9 or lower.  at 160k,  the timing chain has got to be stretched.    i have to check fuel pressure too as 88cougar said,    and at some point replace the whining fuel pump.  thanks.