OMC 2.3l Lima Engine Timing

[MUNDA]

Hello all!

New to the forums - I have a 1988 Canaventure with with a 2.3 Ford Lima engine in her.

I recently changed the timing belt and am having some hard time figuring out timing. I can get the engine running pretty good without any detonation, however the timing is set at around 35 BTDC. retarding the timing at all and the engine will stumble and die.

Prior to changing the timing belt, I set the timing to 10 degrees BTDC without any issues. What am i missing here?

Like I said the engine runs strong and vacuum is around 18 inches of mercury.

 

[kenny nunez]

The first thing I would do is go over the timing belt replacement.
I have changed the belts on Pintos with that engine and sometime the belt will jump 1 tooth while trying to set the tension. I have had the same thing happen on Volvos.

 

[MUNDA]

I did check the timing a couple times, the mark on the camshaft sprocket, I cant get it exactly in the middle. This was the reason I changed the belt - I thought it was stretched.

There are three marks on the timing cover, if your looking at the engine from the front, It is currently more toward the left mark. If i move the sprocket one tooth, its more toward the right mark - I can never get it right in the middle.

 

[Scott Danforth]

you are off at least 2 teeth if your timing is set that far advanced

also, prior to setting timing, you really have to set the dwell on points ignition first

 

[MUNDA]

you are off at least 2 teeth if your timing is set that far advanced

also, prior to setting timing, you really have to set the dwell on points ignition first

I'll snap some pictures of my timing marks today. In all honestly I believe it is set correctly. I might put my old belt back on and see if it makes any difference. It takes 5 minutes to change the timing belt on these engines.

I have not set my dwell yet as I do not have a dwell meter. Would this affect the amount of excessive advance I have ?

 

[kenny nunez]

You cannot beat a dwell meter for the most accurate way to set the points.
The way I found best is to spin the engine with the plugs out and the coil wire grounded. If the coil wire is not grounded you will notice a different reading which will not be correct.

 

[MUNDA]

I have attached where I have it timed. If you notice on the camshaft sprocket, I cannot get it right into the middle. If I move it a tooth over, it's more toward the right mark and not in the center.

This is the same way the old belt looked, which is why I changed it.

 

[kenny nunez]

When the crankshaft balancer is at the TDC mark is the piston also at that point?
Where is the rotor pointing at that point in relation to the #1 spark plug terminal?

 

[MUNDA]

The number one cylinder is at TDC. I confirmed this by removing the plug and inserting a wooden dowel though the spark plug hole. The rotor is also pointed to where I have number one plug inserted.

 

[MUNDA]

I just had a thought, if I retard the cam by one tooth, that should allow me to set the timing correctly ?

 

[MUNDA]

Just started her back up after work here. The timing light was not flashing on the cylinder 1 wire, I tested the other wires and it was flashing on the other three.

I seem to have a issue with maybe weak spark?

Thoughts ?

 

[MUNDA]

In regards to my last post, number one had a bad gapped plug, the light is firing great now. Still have too much timing advance though.

 

[MUNDA]

I just moved the camshaft sprocket over a tooth, still no change in the excessive advanced timing. I'm stumped!