Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Timing Help for newbie

[BSims66173]

Hi fellas, about a month and a half ago I bought a 96 3500 auto CTD. After finding this site I have been doing a lot of reading and I am really impressed with the family atmosphere on this site. Anyway, the truck as far as I can tell is bone stock. Not sure about the KDP but plan on addressing that very soon. This is a daily driver and tow very little. After reading about timing adjustments and fuel mileage I am interested in having mine adjusted but I am not sure I am up to the task. I was wondering if anyone knows of a shop or a member in the northern half of Alabama that can help me out. I do not have the tools required for this task but would be willing to pay and eagerly help. I have worked on a few JD diesel engines before but nothing that ever involved timing one. Any help or advice will be grateful.

 

[Jim Fulmer]

Do a search in the 12V forms for timing and you'll see quite a bit, don't know about your area for Diesel's but I do for gassers.



Jim

 

[rdrose]

timing

i did mine and it wasn't bad. all the info you need is here on the site. the hardest part for me was getting the washer for the delivery valve. the dodge dealer here or the people who punch in the numbers had no clue on what i needed i had to get a part number from the tdr for them. the worst part i had to deal with was the timing would move around when you tighten down the nut on the pump shaft after a few times you will notice it will move the same so i just adjusted it when i set the timing. don't be scared.

 

[DuallyDean]

rdrose--



Since you've done it, would you mind listing the special tools needed to do it. I'm not afraid to try changing my timing, but I always hate getting into a project, then realizing I need some tool I don't own. I have most of the basics like Metric and SAE combo wrenches up to 1 inch and 17MM, Standard depth sockets to 1-1/8 and 16MM and only a handfull of deep sockets. I guess I'm looking for what I need in the way of pullers, special tools to measure plunger lift, triple jointed inspection mirrors or whatever. I am a machinist, so making the tool is sometimes an option, especially if I know about it ahead of time.

Any links to previous posts discribing the procedure would be appreciated, also.



Thanks for any light you can shed.



"Dually"Dean

 

[JohnE]

Not knocking the others that set there own. I found an inexpensive alternative.



I thought about doing my own timing but decided to have the local diesel shop do it for me. It only cost $60 to have my timing set by electronic spillport which is much more accurate than plunger method.

I spent more on dyno runs that day than timing.

 

[DuallyDean]

That's fine, John. I don't mind pawning work off on someone else for a reasonable fee.

BUT--what do you do when your local (and some not so local) Diesel shops refuse to set your timing "outside of spec"?

Hence, I find the logical solution is to do it myself, and if I decide to try a little more or less timing, it isn't going to cost me $60. 00 every time I get a wild hair...

 

[JohnE]

Lots of diesel repair shops around, you just have to find them. People have been turning up diesel performance for yeas.



Dean;

You have a couple options that come to mind. Amusement Ride Diesel in Lacrosse or Torque Diesel Performance in Elk River.



The area diesel heads are hosting a BOMBing party at Elk River on May 8th. Here's a link to the thread in "Local and Regional Chapters & Events ".



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=98675





-John

 

[JPittinger]

JohnE- Could you elaborate on the 'electronic spillport timing'? Maybe where to find more info; I searched the 12V forums and didn't find anything. It sounds like a good alt. to the few hundred bones most shops seem to want.

-JJ

 

[JohnE]

Instead of measuring plunger height or spill port leakage this uses an electric flow sensor clipped on the injector line. Basically you get the dynamic crank position at which the injector fires. Plunger height or spill port leakage are good methods but only a static test that estimates injector pop-off.



I got really lucky and have a diesel maintenance and performance shop that will do most anything. I cannot find the link to the testor used by local diesel shop.

They reset my timing to around 16½° and will be o-ringing my head on Friday. Labor rates are very fair plus I can do some turbo work while they do the head work.

A DynoJet really adds to the fun.