Timing issue

[73F100Shortbed]

Good tip with the loctite. Never even thought of that before.

 

[LEB Ben]

Alright...got a little more disappointing news. Roll pin came out nice and straight, oil pump spins freely and the springs in the dizzy appear to be nice and firm. So what does that leave? Cam bolt backed out or the cam gear some how got messed up. Right? I really didn't want to have to pull the snout off again.

 

[Mil1ion]

RE-install it and lets see what happens

 

[LEB Ben]

RE-install it and lets see what happens

The distributor? I always have trouble with this...back off the crank a few degrees, drop the dizzy in and then rotate the crank to so the dizzy will catch at the proper point right? Some how I usually end up 5*+/- off.

 

[73F100Shortbed]

Why rotate the crank? Put it at TDC. Put a mark somewhere in relation to the middle of the rotor lining up with Cylinder 1. When you drop the distributor in the rotor moves as the gears line up so find out which way you would have to move the rotor back so that when it drops in the rotor and your mark line up. I've never rotated the crank before. Maybe that is causing your issues. If you don't understand what I am saying I will try to demonstrate it in a video with my spare distributor. Your method sounds complicated to me LOL

 

[LEB Ben]

Essentially, I think that's what I'm doing, but I can never just drop in my distributor and have the gears mesh when I have it at TDC. Not to mention, once the gears do line up, my rotor doesn't move. But then again, I'm green and probably misunderstanding something.

 

[73F100Shortbed]

When the gears line up it shouldn't move. You can't drop the distributor in with the mark lined up. It has to be off a little bit so when the gears do line up the rotor spins into line with the mark you made.

 

[LEB Ben]

When the gears line up it shouldn't move. You can't drop the distributor in with the mark lined up. It has to be off a little bit so when the gears do line up the rotor spins into line with the mark you made.

Right...but I usually battle with it to get it to line up #1 to TDC, and have to make a few attempts at it.

 

[73F100Shortbed]

Yup it usually does take a few tries to get it exact. Try to re-install and see what happens since everything checks out with the distributor. Maybe you will have good luck this time.

 

[Mil1ion]

The problem dropping in is the Oil Pump Rod not lining up with the bottom dizzy. Sometime they are a pain to get in, Use Finesse

You never disturb the engine ever if you have serviced the dizzy.

 

[LEB Ben]

Use Finesse.

Not my forte...hahaha.

You never disturb the engine ever if you have serviced the dizzy.

I always thought it was a little odd, but I first read it in my Tom Monroe book and been a while since I cracked my Haynes, but I think it's in there too. So that's the way I always did it.

 

[LEB Ben]

Alright guys...this is driving me nuts. Pulled the snout off the Bronco today. To my surprise, the cam bolt was within spec, the cam gear had all it's teeth, the crank sprocket looked good as new and there was no chain deflection. So what on earth caused me to be out of time 20*?



To recap:

-the oil pump spins freely
-The distributor gear and roll pin are fine
-The distributor springs are good
-The timing set is good
-The balancer still lines up perfectly.




Is there anything I'm missing or overlooking? Anyone else have any tips or advice?



Edit...quick question, just noticed the cam gear hole is either tapered or wallowed out about 1/32" front to back...is this normal, if not it's still not like it would throw me out of time that bad, right?

 

[Mil1ion]

Align the gear timing marks to each other, reassemble and DON'T move the crank when installing the dizzy.

20* is 1 /18th of a turn and that can be acheived by turning the crank very little.

 

[LEB Ben]

Alright Dennis, You're the man with the plan. I'll get it done tomorrow. Need to pick up a couple gaskets.

 

[gsxr1238]

Ben,Have you inspected the roll pin that indexes the reluctor(armature)to the distributor shaft?They sometimes try to shear,or develop slop in the reluctor and distributor shaft keyways.Every half tooth off that reluctor is out of phase with the mag pickup stator is 8* of ignition timing.The cam drive gear usually does not create problems with the distibutor installation,but the oil pump driveshaft can be a pain.You can turn the pump shaft with a 5/16 deep socket,extension,and ratchet.I use a 1/4" setup.It is a turn and check procedure.Be patient,when everything is aligned it will slip right together.Have you checked the operation of the vacuum advance?Make sure everything is free and not binding or sticking.Sorry for the long post.Hope it gives you other things to inspect/repair while you have it opened up.

 

[73F100Shortbed]

Align the gear timing marks to each other, reassemble and DON'T move the crank when installing the dizzy.

20* is 1 /18th of a turn and that can be acheived by turning the crank very little.

 

[LEB Ben]

Ben,Have you inspected the roll pin that indexes the reluctor(armature)to the distributor shaft?They sometimes try to shear,or develop slop in the reluctor and distributor shaft keyways.Every half tooth off that reluctor is out of phase with the mag pickup stator is 8* of ignition timing.The cam drive gear usually does not create problems with the distibutor installation,but the oil pump driveshaft can be a pain.You can turn the pump shaft with a 5/16 deep socket,extension,and ratchet.I use a 1/4" setup.It is a turn and check procedure.Be patient,when everything is aligned it will slip right together.Have you checked the operation of the vacuum advance?Make sure everything is free and not binding or sticking.Sorry for the long post.Hope it gives you other things to inspect/repair while you have it opened up.

Roll pin seemed to be good. As for the oil pump, patience isn't one of my fortes...but I guess it has to be. Thanks for the tips.

 

[Mil1ion]

Make sure you duct tape that 5/16" socket to the extension or you risk it falling into the oil pan.

 

[73F100Shortbed]

Good suggestion

 

[LEB Ben]

Make sure you duct tape that 5/16" socket to the extension or you risk it falling into the oil pan.

Did it. But it was raining to hard to be able to finish, so I'll finish up this afternoon.