Ok I am a little baffled, this is not my first time rebuilding a 22re motor but never ran into this issue. I can not get proper timing set, timing chain and motor is all in sink with TDC but still runs poorly when I try to adjust the timing. I have pulled and re-set the distributor many of times. The closest I came to getting it set was 8 degrees then I always run out of adjustment with the distributor. If I re-set and pull out the distributor and try a tooth more or less the worst it gets. I was hoping someone had other options for me or if there is something else that could cause this.

Thanks

 

Check the roll pin in the gear on the bottom of the distributor shaft, I have see it shear of on some small block fords before and the timing did the same thing.

 

If it would be the roll pin gear then i would have no movement in between the rotor and sending gear correct, or are you saying it could have sheared a little bit and the gear to be off from the rotor shaft?

 

One other thing I forgot to mention, when jumpeing the 2 terminals I have no fluctuation in the idle at all. I know in the past I would always have that fluctation while the motor is running and you do the bypass. For some reason this one is not doing it however the check engine light does go on when jumped so I know the ECU sees it.

 

yes if could have moved a little bit, the problem i had was i could set the timing and then it would change about 15 degress and then i would reset it and it would go 15 degress the other way

 

the timing is so far out the little bit of change the ecm gives it you wont hear it

 

That does sound alot like what is happening to me, the roller pin at the bottom are they a removable type so i can replace or will i need to find another dist? I really dont want to put alot of money into the truck since i got it for free not running but does have 332000 miles, if i could get the timing set right it would be a good little beater for around the house. Other than this issue it has great compression and no leaks(since i re-did the timing chain, water pump, oil pan gasket, oil pump, ect.)

 

It is removable. If you try to rplace it make sure when you hammer the new pin in make sure it is tight if not it will fall out. I just replaced distributor on the one i was having a problem with cause something had to cause the pin the shear, like a bad shaft bearing.