91 4Runner 3.0

Im having trouble getting my timing set. The mark is almost 180* off. I had the timing set correctly a few months ago then the truck started hesitating when its cold so I rechecked the timing and the mark was nowhere to be found. I found 3 very small vacume leaks and fixed them. But the mark is still on the bottom side of the pulley.

What else would cause the timing to be this far off?

The truck seems to be running fine.

Thanks

 

Anyone wanna take a guess? Ive searched and searched and im thinking it could have something to do with the TPS. Im planning on testing it this evening.

Anything else?

 

Does it run?

If it runs, it's not 180 off.

Might try crawling underneath and finding those marks with a flashlight, then clean them (wire brush) and fill them in with something white (highly visible.) I used a little white paint and the top of a matchstick (for a paintbrush.)

Then try again.

Stock 3.slow engines run good w/ about 10-15 deg of advance, modified engines will take more (my 3.shinyturd is at 25 deg of advance and could probably take more.)

 

Yes it runs. pretty good actualy. I know the timing coulndt be 180 off and still run. Thats just where the mark is. I was checking the timing and couldnt find the mark. So I cut the motor off and found the mark and painted it. Started the truck and ended up finding the mark by getting under the truck and shining the light on the bottom of the pulley. And there it was about 180 off.

Could the pulley have spun? I havent pulled #1 cyl up to TDC to see where the mark is. I guess I will do that this evening.

 

Are you sure you are hooking up the timing light to the right spark plug wire?

 

Yes. positive. That was my fisrt thought. Jumped the E1 and TE1 terminals and the idle is correct.

 

No, it's not possible that the balancer was just installed 180 off. There's only one keyway in it and one keyway on the crank. And there is only one key for both the balancer and bottom cam drive pulley.

I suppose it's possible it may have sheared the keyway, but I'd think you'd be having lots of other issues too (like your accessories won't be spinning.)

You have something goofy going on.

FYI the #1 cylinder is on the right side front, not left front like Chevy.

 

Would it be possible that the balancer spun on itself?

 

Well, there goes my guess...

 

it's a thought.

 

What kind of timing light are you using (inductive I hope) and are you sure it is attached to the #1 plug? if you are unsure put #1 at TDC and pull the cap off the distributor and see if its pointing at the #1 contact and see that the marks on the cams and crank are matching up to the marks on the motor. As for things moving I doubt it the only thing that could do that is the timing belt/chain and that means you should replace it now. It sounds like you are fine.

 

So last night I got the #1 cly at TDC on the compression stroke, found the mark on my pulley underneath the truck, not in the same spot it was in the other day. So I put a mark on the pulley at 0 and just timed it off that. It may not be perfect but it sure is better than timing it by ear.

The pulley has spun, I cant see any other logical explanation. If the timing really was that far off the truck wouldnt run.

Well today im going to look into finding a new pulley. I dint take the pulley off last night. I really hope it didnt shear the keyway off. I would think that would have made a loud noise when it happened though.

Thanks for everyones help. I will update once I take the pulley off and see just what has broke.