langzaiguy

Ok, it all started a couple months ago when my engine was ticking loudly. I figured I'd check the timing to see if it was firing wrong. I checked it and it had to have been around 20 BTDC. At the time, I incorrectly assumed that it was supposed to be at 0 TDC. After changing the timing, the sound went away and that's when I noticed the 15% (or so) lack of power and poorer fuel economy.

I wised up and realized it was supposed to be at 5 BTDC. Ever since then, the acceleration has been extremely choppy. I can only LIGHTLY accelerate and even then it's not very smooth. I'm running out of ideas of what it could be. I'm pretty sure it's at 5 BTDC, could it possibly be incorrect? I thought I may have switched the vacuum hoses on the distributer, but I don't think that's it either. I would GREATLY appreciate some suggestions!

I have a 1991 4x4 PU 22re.

MMA_Alex

the base timing is 5 degrees btdc. you did short out the eg1-t1 connector before setting the timing right?

langzaiguy

Is it the same short that you use to read the engine light code? If so, then yes. This is how I did the timing on my truck:

1. Jump the diagnostic nodes.
2. Disconnect & plug vacuum lines to distributer.
3. Adjust distributer to line up the notch to 5 BTDC
4. Reconnect vacuum lines.
5. Disconnect jumper from the diagnostic box.

Is this not correct? It seems like the rough, choppy acceleration would be due to improper timing, but the mark does line up with 5 BTDC.

rdlsz24

When setting my timing I didn't disconnect any vaccuum lines. Just warmed it up, jumped the terminals, and set it to 5 degrees btdc.

Rob

langzaiguy

I'm supposed to jump the diagnostic terminals for the duration of the timing adjustment, correct?

MMA_Alex

yes. start the engine, and look at the timing, then jump the terminals, and the advance should drop.

at idle it should be like 12-13 without the jumper, and 5 with it.

if it doesent drop with the jumper in then its usually gunna need a tps adjustment before doing the timing

langzaiguy

I'm getting really frustrated with the truck now. I've fooled around with the timing so much, I don't know if it's a timing issue anymore. The truck stumbles through acceleration no matter if the timing is advanced or retarded or at spec. It only stumbles when it is in gear (any gear, though not so much 1st). Any ideas?

thook

Have you tried adjusting your TPS? If it's off, your timing will not be set correctly.