Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Timing Question

[JBeasley]

I bought the sp 500 snap-on timing set. My 97 5 speed has 230k on it, AFE cold air intake, and I had a diesel shop turn it up at 130k. I'm guessing they just turned the screw in the back cause the break off bolt in the afc housing is still there. They also said the timing was bumped up. They didn't say to what. I didn't know anything when I bought this truck in 99. I've had 2 12 valves since then and bought an 05 6 mo. ago. I've learned alot since 99. I've never done anything more to my 97 because that is my trusty work truck. I pull a 12,000lb. enclosed tailer every day so I didn't want to get carried away performance wise. Anyway enough with the rambling. I wanted to practice using my new timing tool so I checked my timing and it was 6. 56mm at TDC. Am I doing something wrong or is my timing really advanced that much. I've read that 15 is about right for what I have which is 5. 35mm at TDC. I'm stumped because I've never blown a head gasket and that's the first thing to go with increased timing but I've drove this truck 100k like this. Any in put on this would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Signal73]

What method did you use to find TDC? If it was the Pin, Those have been known to be off a little. , Which would throw off your reading on the dial indicator...

 

[JBeasley]

It was the pin. Is there another way?

 

[WDixon27]

i set up my magnetic base/dial indicator on a valve on the #1 cylinder, i used a spring compressor so the valve could sit on the piston and backed the motor up watching the indicator and picking a number then making (i used the one of the crank sensor bolts as a pointer) a mark on tape on the balancer, then advance the motor till the number you picked comes up again and make another mark, find the center between the marks and that's tdc

It was the pin. Is there another way?

 

[Signal73]

It was the pin. Is there another way?

Seems like everyone on here says the dropped valve method is the most accurate. Try a search for that probably turn something up.

 

[JBeasley]

Thanks I'll try that. The instructions I have are for the miller timing tool and I can't get my snap on dial indicator to read lower than 4 mm. It will not read between 7 and 9 to get started like the miller. It seems like the plunger on the indicator isn't long enough. Does anyone have some insight on this; maybe instructions on the settings for the snap on indicator.

 

[WDixon27]

you may be able to get a extension for the indicator you have, heres my snap on set

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Thanks I'll try that. The instructions I have are for the miller timing tool and I can't get my snap on dial indicator to read lower than 4 mm. It will not read between 7 and 9 to get started like the miller. It seems like the plunger on the indicator isn't long enough. Does anyone have some insight on this; maybe instructions on the settings for the snap on indicator.

 

[JBeasley]

That's identical to my set, but I think I do need an extension because my indicator measures 1. 5". Yours is almost . 25" longer. That would explain why my dial will not read past 4 when I put it in the delivery valve holder. That's my luck. Hopefully I can get a longer indicator. Thanks for the pictures and the measurement.

 

[GMichaels]

sorry to post on the backend here, but I will be doing timing next and looking for recomendations on where to get the timing tool.

 

[WDixon27]

mines a snap on sp500 around $215

sorry to post on the backend here, but I will be doing timing next and looking for recomendations on where to get the timing tool.

 

[WDixon27]

that piece i measured is just the extension, heres the indicator

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and heres how far it protrudes past the delivery valve socket holder

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That's identical to my set, but I think I do need an extension because my indicator measures 1. 5". Yours is almost . 25" longer. That would explain why my dial will not read past 4 when I put it in the delivery valve holder. That's my luck. Hopefully I can get a longer indicator. Thanks for the pictures and the measurement.

 

[JBeasley]

The piece I measured was the extension, it measured 1. 5. The indicator measures 1. 28. The extension extrudes 1. 15 past the delivery valve socket holder. It looks like my dial indicator and my extension are both to short. I called snap-on today and they would not do anything because it's been over 30 days. I've had it about 2 months but I have not had time to use it till now. I never thought it would be wrong I mean it's snap on. It does'nt get much better than that. They will not even let me buy just the indicator. They said they can't sell the indicator seperate from the set, so I've got a $228 timing set I can't use. I don't think I would reccomend the sp 500. If you do get one make sure you measure it as soon as you get it! I'm not done with them yet though.

 

[JSharp]

JB,

I think your gage should work as long it does not bottom out when you turn the motor back wards. All you need is enuff length to find the end of the plunger lift and set you reset you gage to zero for a starting point. My snap on set came with snap on instuctions. I will have to look for them, I don't remember having to set it below 4mm to get started. Good Luck



Jason

 

[WDixon27]

this outta help http://www.dialindicator.com/mech_contact.html just get a longer extension, not sure why your sp500 is different then my sp500 unless someone opened yours and swapped some stuff to be a dick

The piece I measured was the extension, it measured 1. 5. The indicator measures 1. 28. The extension extrudes 1. 15 past the delivery valve socket holder. It looks like my dial indicator and my extension are both to short. I called snap-on today and they would not do anything because it's been over 30 days. I've had it about 2 months but I have not had time to use it till now. I never thought it would be wrong I mean it's snap on. It does'nt get much better than that. They will not even let me buy just the indicator. They said they can't sell the indicator seperate from the set, so I've got a $228 timing set I can't use. I don't think I would reccomend the sp 500. If you do get one make sure you measure it as soon as you get it! I'm not done with them yet though.

 

[JBeasley]

Thanks a million for that web set. Gonna order a longer extension tommorrow. Thanks again!