ignition timing prolems

1994chevtruck · 11-02-2008, 05:05 PM

ok so i just bought a 1988 chevy 4x4, new trans and the motor has been replaced, i cant say that the motor is new but it was replaced, it has absolutly no power at all, when i first drove it it ran like a scaled dog but it idled fast, was hard to start and had detination issues. so i checked the timing and at idle it was around 25 to 30 before tdc. but when you reved it, it went to around 15 or so. we ill unpluged the wire so the computer didnt mess with the timing so i could check base timing and it was at 12! so i backed it off to 0 like its suppose to be, turned the truck off, pluged the wire back in and now it idles fine, easy start, no detination, but has no power, when i rev it up now the timing goes to 4-6 after tdc and idles at 4-6 before tdc, i unpluged the knock sensor thinking that it could be giving a faulty single and messing with the timing and it stayed the same. what could i check to try to figure out why the timing is all messed up.

thanks in advance
chadd

leolkfrm · 11-02-2008, 05:31 PM

Welcome to the forum............base timming should be set at 4-6 degrees with the wire unhooked

1994chevtruck · 11-02-2008, 05:50 PM

but y would the timing be going after top dead center when on throttle

leolkfrm · 11-02-2008, 05:52 PM

The timing changes with the change of rpm. its doing what it should

1994chevtruck · 11-02-2008, 05:56 PM

i thought the timing is suppose to go further away from before tdc. that is what my 94 does and it runs like a champ. this one startes firing after tdc

stumpuller454 · 11-02-2008, 07:25 PM

i`ve seen worn out distributor gears do wonky things....

Kennyray · 11-02-2008, 08:26 PM

could also be worn or stuck centrifigal plates in the distributor.

1994chevtruck · 11-02-2008, 08:30 PM

so it would just be best to buy a whole brand new distributor and be done with it huh

Kennyray · 11-02-2008, 08:35 PM

should be able to pick up new one ones with new bushing and springs. they used to sell them with a variety of spring so that you could custom tune your advance. NAPA should carry them not sure of the discount auto parts stores.

wradman · 11-02-2008, 09:42 PM

i'd start with checking the plugs see how they are burning then do a compresion check

11-02-2008, 05:05 PM	#1
1994chevtruck Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 5	ignition timing prolems ok so i just bought a 1988 chevy 4x4, new trans and the motor has been replaced, i cant say that the motor is new but it was replaced, it has absolutly no power at all, when i first drove it it ran like a scaled dog but it idled fast, was hard to start and had detination issues. so i checked the timing and at idle it was around 25 to 30 before tdc. but when you reved it, it went to around 15 or so. we ill unpluged the wire so the computer didnt mess with the timing so i could check base timing and it was at 12! so i backed it off to 0 like its suppose to be, turned the truck off, pluged the wire back in and now it idles fine, easy start, no detination, but has no power, when i rev it up now the timing goes to 4-6 after tdc and idles at 4-6 before tdc, i unpluged the knock sensor thinking that it could be giving a faulty single and messing with the timing and it stayed the same. what could i check to try to figure out why the timing is all messed up. thanks in advance chadd

11-02-2008, 05:31 PM	#2
leolkfrm Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: N.Y. Posts: 1,456	Welcome to the forum............base timming should be set at 4-6 degrees with the wire unhooked __________________ 4 wheels move the body 2 wheels move the soul

11-02-2008, 05:52 PM	#4
leolkfrm Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: N.Y. Posts: 1,456	The timing changes with the change of rpm. its doing what it should __________________ 4 wheels move the body 2 wheels move the soul

11-02-2008, 07:25 PM	#6
stumpuller454 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Really FAR NORTH! Posts: 1,031	i`ve seen worn out distributor gears do wonky things.... __________________ Red seal certified Journeyman Automotive Mechanic *Supercharger comming soon!*

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11-02-2008, 05:50 PM	#3
1994chevtruck Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 5	but y would the timing be going after top dead center when on throttle

11-02-2008, 05:56 PM	#5
1994chevtruck Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 5	i thought the timing is suppose to go further away from before tdc. that is what my 94 does and it runs like a champ. this one startes firing after tdc

11-02-2008, 08:26 PM	#7
Kennyray Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 178	could also be worn or stuck centrifigal plates in the distributor.

11-02-2008, 08:30 PM	#8
1994chevtruck Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 5	so it would just be best to buy a whole brand new distributor and be done with it huh

11-02-2008, 08:35 PM	#9
Kennyray Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 178	should be able to pick up new one ones with new bushing and springs. they used to sell them with a variety of spring so that you could custom tune your advance. NAPA should carry them not sure of the discount auto parts stores.

11-02-2008, 09:42 PM	#10
wradman Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: penticton Posts: 4	i'd start with checking the plugs see how they are burning then do a compresion check

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