Help with timing (COS)

[daveIT]

So I'm slightly mechanically inclined (a banana or two?)...but, I put a new oil pump, dizzy and ignition coil in my 84 FJ60 this past summer, but I set the timing by ear...no idea how to use the timing light & set it by myself. I thought there were supposed to be timing mark up front (there was on my old 67 and 74 Dodges), but the only one I can find is the one in the little inspection plate on the flywheel buried in the back by the firewall...

Anyway, she runs but she runs a little rich. I was wondering if someone would be willing to teach me how get her running sweet. I'll gladly provide the beer of your choosing. I'm in Colorado Springs...can meet either here or your place...

 

[black95]

Setting the timing on a 2F is just like any other engine, except the timing mark is on the flywheel, as you mentioned. Seems like there's a top dead center mark and a bb, and the chrome bb is what you set it to. Or maybe the bb is top dead center. Can't remember. Anyway, are you sure it runs rich because if the timing? Sounds like a carburator adjustment problem to me. I don't think the timing being off will make it any richer or leaner, just give you less power or detonation. How long has it been since your carb was rebuild? Is it de-smogged?

 

[black95]

I'd be happy to set your timing for you, but you'll have to make the drive to woodland park. I even made my own wrench to get to that bastard of a distributed bolt.

 

[daveIT]

Thanks for the offer, I'm going to give it one more try this weekend before I burden someone else...if I can't figure it out I'll take you up on your offer!

To answer your questions:

The carb was rebuilt around 208K...it has almost 215K on it now, so that should be good...

It hasn't been desmogged, it has all the smog equip & passed emissions a few years back (owner before the guy I bought it from lived in Castle Rock)

Around 208K miles all this was done:
- Complete carb rebuild from Mark's Offroad in CA (within last 100 miles)
- Professional valve adjustment, new valve cover gasket
- New Intake/Exhaust/EGR gaskets
- New clutch and rear main seal
- New Toyota power steering pump (new, not refurbished)
- Coolant system flushed
- Fresh fluid in tranny/transfer case/diffs
- New oil pan
- New Duralast Gold battery
- All vacuum lines replaced
- New windshield

Anyway, I hope to join the club & meet some folks at this month's meeting...I've been wanting to go for so long but there's always work or something else going on. I'll be starting a new job soon w/ less ridiculous hours so I should have more time for fun stuff!!

 

[black95]

Sounds like you've really taken care of it, it ought to be running like a champ. Sound like the timing is all that is left to give you any trouble.
Are you still going to sell it? I was trying to talk my wife into buying it, but she keeps telling me I have to sell something before I buy another vehicle... and that ain't gonna happen.

 

[daveIT]

Sound like the timing is all that is left to give you any trouble.

Hahahahahahahahahahaha...good one!

Stopped by to see Gary at Airport Automotive for a "vehicle checkup" just to see what he would say and: https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/581911-help-carb-rebuild-emissions-already.html

We threw a timing light on it and that was spot on, so I did something right. He kind of ribbed me about my excessive black RTV on the oil pan gasket though...LOL!

Are you still going to sell it?

I don't want to, but not sure how much moola I can still throw at it...

 

[black95]

hmmm. is it down on power? (lol, I mean unusually down on power? I know the 2f is no powerhouse anyway...) is the heat riser stuck? Do you have the original vacuum diagram? When I got my cruiser, there were some vacuum lines crossed that I had to straighten out.

I very seriously doubt Mark messed that carb up.

Running rich could be normal for this area too. With high altitude comes low compression and lower air pressure, which results in a rich running engine anyway. Maybe you need smaller jets in the carb.

Make sure your high altitude circuit is hooked up. A lot of people suggest advancing your timing 2* or every 1000' about sea level. I have set mine about 6* advanced, didn't want to get too carried away with it. It runs very well. You can play around with spark plug gap too, a little lower gap may get you a better, quicker spark, especially if you ignition is getting weak.

I would do a compression test. Compression testers are very cheap, and it'll take you no time to just see how bad your cylinders are. In all honesty, you probably don't want to know what it's going to tell you. Around here, 145 is on the high side, 125 is getting real bad. My 4runner had 180 PSI at sea level when I lived in Louisiana, and has 130~ 135 here in Woodland Park... suck.

Don't get rid of the 'Cruiser -- What's it cost you to sit if you don't have money to put into it? That's how I look at things anyway. When I don't have any money, the 4x4's go into hibernation. I just have to pay the registration fees and liability insurance while I'm saving money. You'll get it worked out.

 

[daveIT]

Thanks for all the help, man!

Not down on power that I can tell...it goes pretty good for something with 33s and 4.11s...I had it up to 75 the one day just to see what it would do...haha! There's a spaghetti wire diagram under tha hood, but pretty worn. I think I've copied a pdf from here and I may have the pdf of the emissions manual on my other computer...

I read reviews of Mark's work and they are all stellar, so I'm doubting that's the issue. The guy that built up this cruiser knew what he was doing, so I'm guessing he asked Mark to set it up right for this area. I wonder if Mark would have the details on this carb rebuild in his records...

Not sure what the heat riser is, I'll take a look at my pdf of the factory service manual. I'll look in to the HAC too. Over in that other thread

I posted the results of the emissions work done on it.

Plugs look good, I have a new set, but the current ones look fine. Maybe I'll mess with the gap. The ign coil, dizzy and plug wires are all new from this fall.

I have a little 89 Mini 4x4 that I run around in now, but my is bitching about me having 2 vehicles. WTF WOMAN, everyone needs a truck!!! I think I need less and more Toyotas...

Enjoying some tonight....I'll tomorrow!