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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Engine/Drivetrain => Topic started by: Lt.Del on August 25, 2008, 02:21:48 pm

Title: timing the ole sub
Post by: Lt.Del on August 25, 2008, 02:21:48 pm
I have thrown my timing light away--not really, it's just that I can't use it to time my 91 V2500 4x4 5.7 TBI  sub (http://www.delbridge.net/suburban).  The timing mark on the balancer is way up at the 12:00 position, when the timing tab is around 2:00, and she runs great.  If I adjust the distributor to match the marks and be where it supposed to be, the sub just as well have boat anchors dragging behind it.  That's what it feels like when taking it on a test drive.  When I put the distributor back to where the mark doesn't come near the tab and is again around the 12:00 position, about two inches from the top of the tab, she runs great.

Could my balancer have twisted--you know the rubber part sandwiched between the two outer parts? I am pretty sure everything on the engine is stock. She does have 195k miles on it now. 

I just yesterday put all new plugs, wires, cap, rotor on it. I wanted to check the timing.  It shows way off.  She runs great, but, I am only timing it by ear and the way she feels when running.

Any ideas? I wouldn't think the timing chain jumped or the cam and crank wouldn't be in synch.  Again, she runs pretty stout.
Title: Re: timing the ole sub
Post by: Captkaos on August 25, 2008, 02:31:23 pm
How are you timing it?  Are you disconnecting the bypass wire and setting the timing to 0?
If it is at 12 when this is done, I would say the outer ring slipped.  Turn the motor to TDC and see where the mark is on the timing tab.
Title: Re: timing the ole sub
Post by: VileZambonie on August 25, 2008, 02:38:44 pm
Yes put the EST in bypass when setting your base timing.
Title: Re: timing the ole sub
Post by: frogman68 on August 25, 2008, 05:56:18 pm
Not to Hijack but I am having the same problem yes i disco'd the tan and black wire like the label says I cant get it to idle at 4 BTC

88 Blazer 350 TBI
Title: Re: timing the ole sub
Post by: Lt.Del on August 25, 2008, 07:17:05 pm
Quote
Are you disconnecting the bypass wire and setting the timing to 0?

Quote
Yes put the EST in bypass when setting your base timing.

OK, there must be something to this.  I have no idea what the bypass is or the EST. I am used to working on the old 79 which all it requires is to plug the vacuum advance.

Where do I find it and what exactly does it take to bypass it?





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Title: Re: timing the ole sub
Post by: Captkaos on August 25, 2008, 07:45:20 pm
There is a black/tan wire, that has a disconnect in it.  It usually is somewhere in the harness near the motor, but it can be by the brake mount also.  To time a ECM truck it has to be disconnected and the timing set to 0.
Title: Re: timing the ole sub
Post by: Lt.Del on August 25, 2008, 08:23:18 pm
I just love Chilton manuals, it says, "disconnect the timing connector which comes out of the harness conduit next to the distributor, this will put the IC system in the bypass mode."   hmmmm.  Of course, I'll go right to the "timing connector", why didn't I think of that?  Have no idea what the IC system means, or which wires are the timing connector.  I guess Chilton assumes you know a lot about engines, but, if you know a lot about engines, why would you own a Chilton manual.

Thanks Chris.  I'll look for the black/tan wire with a disconnect first thing in the morning.  Can you tell I have never owned a computer controlled vehicle before?    Now a vacuum advance hose, I can find that on carbed engines. ;D  Who needs computer stuff on their engines?  I guess that's a topic for another thread.

 
Title: Re: timing the ole sub
Post by: Lt.Del on August 25, 2008, 10:08:52 pm
I searched high and low for some black/tan wire to no avail.  Without pulling the distributor to search, which would kind of defeat the purpose, I am stumped.  I do see a green wire with a disconnect on it, and another bunch of wires with a disconnect. I dunno if '91's had a different wire color scheme or not.
Title: Re: timing the ole sub
Post by: frogman68 on August 26, 2008, 11:10:35 am
Sgt did you read the emission sticker on your truck ?
Thats were I got the color of tan / black it could be diffrent.

Mine was next to the Power Booster engine side I can take a pic when I get home (about 7 hours)
Title: Re: timing the ole sub
Post by: Captkaos on August 26, 2008, 11:13:01 am
Should be tan/black.  It is on the drivers side, did you look down below the booster...
Title: Re: timing the ole sub
Post by: Lt.Del on August 26, 2008, 01:55:51 pm
OK, with both of your help, I was able to expand my search.  I found the tan wire w/ black stripe with a disconnect on the OTHER side of the brake booster from where the distributor is.  I was too focused around the distributor area.  Thanks.

(http://www.delbridge.net/tab2.jpg)

So, with that disconnected, I was able to pull my timing light out of the trash can and use it.  I was pretty close on the timing, based on what just felt good.  I was at 8 degrees BTDC.  According to the decal on the air cleaner, which I should have read earlier about the little tan/black wire, it says that the timing in P or N should be Zero.  So, I retarded (not politically correct) the distributor slightly 'til she read at the Zero mark.

My question now is, since moving it from 8 deg BTDC to Zero, she doesnt feel bad, but, she felt a little better on acceleration at 8 deg. I know this Sub came from California originally.  I don't know if there is a smog or emissions purpose to having slightly retarded timing--making it fire pretty much while the piston is on the down stroke already.  I know the combustion after the firing of the spark is delayed ever so slightly because it takes a nano second for the combustion to really push the piston down after spark ignition. 

Let me rephrase this:
Is there an emissions purpose to give up a little power in the name of clean air?  Or, is it just my imagination that the power seems greater when the engine is timed slightly before TDC, say around 6 or 8 degrees BTDC?

 (http://www.delbridge.net/tab1.jpg)

I could never read the tab from the normal distance standing over the radiator,so, I took a digital picture of it with 5x zoom on the camera and came back to the laptop to read the numbers.  ::)
Title: Re: timing the ole sub
Post by: frogman68 on August 26, 2008, 02:15:12 pm
Glad ya found it.

Our Blazer wasnt california emissions and I could not get it to idle at 0 right now its like 5 it pings a little but I think it needs a valve job :)
Title: Re: timing the ole sub
Post by: Lt.Del on August 26, 2008, 02:26:33 pm
Quote
I could not get it to idle at 0 right now its like 5 it pings a little but I think it needs a valve job

Frogman, sounds like you gotta vacuum leak.  I'd go over all your hoses, gaskets w/ a mist of WD40 and see if the rpms increase anywhere.  How's your gas mileage?
Title: Re: timing the ole sub
Post by: frogman68 on August 26, 2008, 02:37:02 pm
Quote
I could not get it to idle at 0 right now its like 5 it pings a little but I think it needs a valve job

Frogman, sounds like you gotta vacuum leak.  I'd go over all your hoses, gaskets w/ a mist of WD40 and see if the rpms increase anywhere.  How's your gas mileage?

Not sure we dont use it much except for Boy Scout outings :)

I will check the hoses but I can now get the tires to chirp if I hit the gas so there is no hesitation

This Blazer sat for a few years we got it two years ago and I think we have put on about 800 miles on it
Title: Re: timing the ole sub
Post by: VileZambonie on August 26, 2008, 05:54:09 pm
IC stands for ignition control

also I've posted this a few times on here

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/Sabaka454/c133.gif)

LINK (http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=7421.15)

Use zero as your initial timing. If your engine runs better with no adverse effects with the timing advanced then advance it and enjoy it.
Title: Re: timing the ole sub
Post by: Lt.Del on August 26, 2008, 06:28:22 pm
Thanks.  and EST is Electronic Spark Timing.  I have learned a lot in the past two days about these computer controlled vehicles.

Thanks about that bit about Zero being the beginning timing.  I have advanced it slightly and we'll see how it goes. I think she runs great now, i believe I had it a tad too advanced--but she wasn't pinging/detonating but that may be partly due to the knock sensor and the ECM controlling the timing somewhat.

thanks for the help
Title: Re: timing the ole sub
Post by: rockable on February 14, 2009, 11:56:56 am
I'm having a hard time locating this wire on my '86.  Anyone got any ideas?  Is it part of a cluster connection or is it a single wire?  Could it be behind my engine somewhere.  I've looked pretty hard for it, already.

Thanks,
Rock
Title: Re: timing the ole sub
Post by: frogman68 on February 14, 2009, 02:04:04 pm
I'm having a hard time locating this wire on my '86.  Anyone got any ideas?  Is it part of a cluster connection or is it a single wire?  Could it be behind my engine somewhere.  I've looked pretty hard for it, already.

Thanks,
Rock

Look by the brake booster it should be a stand alone wire
Title: Re: timing the ole sub
Post by: VileZambonie on February 14, 2009, 07:51:25 pm
I'm having a hard time locating this wire on my '86.  Anyone got any ideas?  Is it part of a cluster connection or is it a single wire?  Could it be behind my engine somewhere.  I've looked pretty hard for it, already.

Thanks,
Rock

You'll have to give more details on your 86. Engine? Fuel system? Driveline? California or federal emissions?
Title: Re: timing the ole sub
Post by: rockable on February 14, 2009, 09:41:09 pm
305/4v/non-CA.  Assembled in Canada.
Thanks
Rock
Title: Re: timing the ole sub
Post by: Lt.Del on February 15, 2009, 01:12:21 am
were '86's computer controlled.  I didn't think so. If not, you wont have that brown wire.
Title: Re: timing the ole sub
Post by: rockable on February 15, 2009, 06:20:39 am
It does not have an O2 sensor and the emissions label says nothing about disconnecting a wire.  It says to plug the vacuum line from the distributor and set a 4 degrees BTDC.

I'll bet you're right.  I've looked all over and, unless it's hidden behind the engine, it's not there.

Does anyone know for sure?
Title: Re: timing the ole sub
Post by: VileZambonie on February 15, 2009, 08:28:34 am
DETAILS

C10, C20, C30, K10, K20, K30?

Automatic or Manual?

Are you sure it's not California emissions?

If it's non ESC controlled plug the vacuum hose going to the distributor vacuum advance. At operating temp idling set initial timing to 4°-6° BTDC

If it's ESC warm the engine, shut it off, disconnect the 4 pin connector at the distributor, restart the engine and set the timing to 6° BTDC
Title: Re: timing the ole sub
Post by: rockable on February 15, 2009, 10:55:57 am
It's a Silverado 1/2 ton C10.  It's got the 305 4 barrell carb, non-"computer controlled" model and a 700R4 tranny.  It's NOT California, for sure.  It's never left NC.  I've got the original paper work where it was delivered here.

I'm pretty certain it does not have ESC.  How could I tell for sure? 

I plugged the vac line, set the idle speed and set the timing at 5 degrees BTDC.  It's running the best it's ever run since I fixed the vacuum leaks, replaced the thermal vacuum switch, changed the intake gaskets and put a rebuilt carb on it.