Hey everyone, I have an 85 4runner. It failed ca smog because the timing was off. The printout they gave me said the timing was set at 42 degrees btdc. Factory specs say it should be at 5 btdc. The 4runnes runs great. I have tried setting the timing to 5 btdc and it won't even run
Any idea how I fix this problem?

 

Are you jumping the timing / diagnostic connector to check the timing AS DISCUSSED BY 4CRAWLER HERE? I didn't know you could be at 42 deg unless you're off by a tooth (teeth?) at the distributor.

 

I was not, but the smog shop is where I got the 42 degrees figure. I plan on bridging the jumper and checking it again. I have been out of town for about... A year.

It passed smog when I got it. (May or May not have been a "hot" smog. I haven't screwed with anything on the motor except installing a header and a new water pump. So it must've been done before I got it. The motor has had the timing guide replaced as I was informed by addicted off-road. They saw it while doing some totally unrelated work. I don't know if perhaps the cam gear could have rotated or what.