This is topic Need help with timing 89 5.0 in forum Tech Talk at Northern California Ford Owners  .


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Posted by krazy_svt (Member # 9259) on :
 
My car started running like carp
the other day. I'm thinking that it
Maybe the timing. I got a cheap
Timing light. I hooked it up,
Still runs the same or worst. So
Any help would be helpfull. What
Wire do I need to disconnect?
Before I start. Thank you.
 
Posted by LS1 (Member # 9529) on :
 
The timing isn't going to magicaly come undone, it's something else.
 
Posted by FivePTSlow (Member # 7682) on :
 
The only way timing would change without you changing it is if your distributor bolt was loose and your distributor could move on it's own. If you drive an 87-93 you'll see a little "pill" hanging right by the distributor. When you set your base timing you remove that pill and set your timing. I've used $6 timing lights and they work fine, so the timing light shouldn't be a problem.
 
Posted by 95gtdroptop (Member # 8330) on :
 
^^^ what he said.

check for a vacuum leak, when was it tuned up last?
 
Posted by anderthizzle (Member # 7910) on :
 
Well theres your problem its running like a carp.Just kidding mine did that to and the hose to my pvc popped off.
 
Posted by bentley mobs a stang (Member # 11119) on :
 
everyone is right, undo the piece by the distributor and check the base timing if u really think ur distributor jumped on you. and if thats the case mark it and pull out the distributor and look at the condition of your gear that spins with the oil pump. also, if the engine is misfiring look at the ends of wires for corrosion as well as the cap and rotor, and of course the condition of the plugs. if your getting a high idle look for vacuum leaks use the old carb cleaner trick to find any leaks.
 
Posted by krazy_svt (Member # 9259) on :
 
Thanks for the help. Still running like crap. How much would someone charge to do this?
 
Posted by moeofit32 (Member # 10393) on :
 
jus a guess but check your harmonic balancer the rubber in the middle on mine was shot so it was moving had my timing all messed up cause it would keep moving.....it was the stock h/b from factory
 
Posted by Number5 (Member # 11046) on :
 
Check for a mis fire, spark plug wires on all the way, change spark plugs if they haven't been changed in awhile.
 
Posted by 2BlueGeeTees (Member # 4702) on :
 
It definitely sounds like the smart place to start is a FULL tune up and go from there bud
 
Posted by 89foxstang (Member # 5908) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by 2BlueGeeTees:
It definitely sounds like the smart place to start is a FULL tune up and go from there bud
agreed best place to start with a hard miss is usually a tune up and while your at it throw a comp gauge on a couple cyls to check. also make note of the color of the porcelin on the spark plug may give you an indication of where the miss is coming from. you never said what your base timing was set at?
 
Posted by 89foxstang (Member # 5908) on :
 
also i noticed i just assumed that it was a hard miss how exactly is it running like crap? when does it run the worst idle mid range full throttle ? Does it run the same hot or cold? the more details the better
 
Posted by Musttanguy (Member # 2251) on :
 
Actually timing can change
A stretched/loose timing chain can cause timing to change several degrees and worse if a tooth is jumped between cam gear and crank.
Take motor to TDC and confirm mark on crank and location of pickup on inside of distributor are lined up to #1.
 




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