Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Injector Pump timing questions??

[Iredman]

I know this has been beat like a dead horse but, Were do most guys set there timing I see alot of people who talk about 15* but is that reasonable and the best for overall engine life ect. The I. D. tag on my engine calls for 12. 5* is it all the better to go to 13. 5 or 14 * And what are the perils with going to the 15* point obviousely head gasket issues but I am looking for all the advise i can get. My main objective is engine longevity economy and useability. Thanks Turbine Dude

 

[MDW]

The more timing the better chance of head gasket failure.

 

[Howard Durand]

The engine specs on my 94 auto call for 12. 3 and when I decided to set it up, I found it had been running at 11.

It is now at 15. It runs good but is a little more noisy than I like and am thinking seriously about moving it back to 14.

Like you, I am concerned about possible damage to the engine.

 

[The patriot]

It really depends on how much it's bombed, and how much you beat on it.

The more the BOMBS, the timing would likley be more advanced. (to help with the EGT's and run "better)

However this also created more cylinder pressure, and the more likley you'll be doing a head gasket.

Timing is a comprimise. Generally 15-16 is safe.

It's a viscious cycle... ... ... .

Eric

 

[Gray 5.9]

So is it better over all to stay with factory timing* for more life of the engine and not taking a chance of blowing the head gasket? I've never checked the timing on mine , which is suppost to be at 12. 5* according to the tag. I've been thinking about changing it to 14* based on the resullts of getting more MPG's and lowering the EGT's. Is it worth doing?

 

[Gray 5.9]

I forgot to mention in my last post that my truck starts up as fast as most gas jobs do, whether it's winter or summer time.

 

[Jim Fulmer]

15 or 16 is not high, I run mine at 20, 18 if I was towing with my truck... . note O-Ring and . 020 gasket. shoot for 15. 5 then if you off either way 1/2 a degree it's great.



Jim

 

[JJW_ND]

15 comes strongly recomended!!

Take this for what its worth... at the 99 TDR Nationals I had several discussions with Cummins Engineers at the rally. They all said every 12V in a dodge would do very well at 15 degrees. Even the later 215hp engines. He said the older would notice more inprovement (they came from the factory with a much lower setting).



Also, there a many of us that have headgasket problems that have never touched the timing. Mostly 96 -97s and always by the TStat housing. Nothing to do with timing... . just a poor gasket.



Do what you are comfortable with but don't think 15 degrees is being very radical and damage is iminent!



jjw

ND

 

[Howard Durand]

Thanks JJW.



I'll leave mine at 15 which was a 4 degree change from where it was acutally at.

I pulled the trailer to Wyoming and back following the change and found better pulling at highway speed with lower egt.

Better fuel mileage but still nothing to write home about.

As I said, it is noisier but I can live with that. (I'll just take the hearing aids out)