Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Tools needed to Time the Engine.

[BudW]

It's time to check my timing and I'm on a budget.

I have the gray smoke on cold/cool startups and an overall lack of power. The timing has never been checked, or messed with, sense new.



What tools do I have to have and which tools are preferred to use? (Specifics would be nice).



I've got a 160HP Auto (CPL 1815) at 180k miles. Specs call for the timing to be at 11. 5'.

Does anyone have a good "hypothetical" timing spec to use on a stock pump/truck?



I've seen the number 15' come up before. It looks like it is a good-sized job to do (for someone who hasn't worked on this aspect of a diesel before) so I'm trying to keep my "timing" attempts down (to help please the wife ).



Any information would be helpfull (good or bad).

Bud

 

[Rammin On]

15. 5 will yeild you wonderful results - you can get the tools from snap-on or SPX miller . .

 

[SlyBones]

http://www.piersdiesel.com/P7100Timing.htm

 

[Extreme1]

I just did mine...

If you haven'd blocked the dowl pin and if the front seal leaks, do them all at once and you can probably get by with borrowed Auto Zone tools, I had all the tools I needed. If you pull the front cover, everything is right there and you don't need to wait for a jig.



Piers suggested 15. 5 for me. I ended up at 15. 1 on the first try and called it good. The difference is #@$%! and time.



Follow the TDC locating procedure using the "tightening the #1 intake valve" method, faster and easier than the stupid timing pin.



You will need a good magnetic base and dial indicator. An extension for the indicator (I made one years ago from a carb cleaner straw), a 2 bolt gear puller, the right sized bolts to thread into the gear(metric, not sure of size) a front cover gasket and seal.



There is just enough room to put the mag base on the head next to the intake cover. Take your time and get the indicator aligned with the pump bore and your angular error will be insignificant.



The Miller kit would be nice to have but for the money, I couldn't justify it. It will give you an adapter (and the indicator) to attach the indicator to the top of the delivery valve port. I am pretty sure it includes the puller and the parts to pull the gear through the oil filler hole (without removing the front cover).



Hope this helps...