how to tell if your timing is off for a fj60 (1 Viewer)

[hward1]

i was wondering how can you tell your timing is off and needs to be adjusted -- in a 87 fj60 2f engine --

 

[TEXASYETI]

I hope one of the more experienced chimes in but I would say if all other things are set properly - valves adjusted, carb adjusted, etc. - than the best way to check is to put a timing light on it.

I'm sure there may be another way but here's my $.02.

 

[vipergrhd]

a good timing light is your best bet

 

[corboto]

If you're asking about symptoms of poor engine timing they're a lack of power, hard starting, backfiring, poor fuel mileage (or poorER in our case), etc.

 

[hward1]

If you're asking about symptoms of poor engine timing they're a lack of power, hard starting, backfiring, poor fuel mileage (or poorER in our case), etc.

ok thanks - im not having trouble with back fire or hard starts so i guess i am ok

 

[Spike Strip]

Just do a free timing light rental from Autozone and adjust / check it. It's also a good way to make sure your advance is working.

 

[Heartworm]

If you let it go long enough and climb some hills with the engine pinging it will be easy. There will be a hole in one of your pistons.

 

[hward1]

If you let it go long enough and climb some hills with the engine pinging it will be easy. There will be a hole in one of your pistons.

dont need that - i will go and rent one is it hard to do

 

[hward1]

got the timing light now where do you put the timing mark (with the bee bee) -

 

[hward1]

got the timing light where do you put the timing mark on the bee bee not TDC correct - is the bee bee the 7 degrees

 

[hward1]

cant get the timing light down enough - does it have to be right up at it or is it ok to be at a distance -- at a distance i cant see the bee or the line in the window

 

[Spike Strip]

Close enough to see what you're shooting at. Pointer on the BB (or hole) is 7* before.

 

[hward1]

does the timing light have to be straight on the window or just enough where i can tell where the mark is at -- if so i cant even see the line or bee bee in the window while checking it -- so if thats right mine is way off -- i dont even know which way to turn the distributor - i think i need to make the wheel go to the left some so i can see my marks in the window

 

[Spike Strip]

Just get it a foot or two away from the window - I don't think parallax is an issue here.

You may not be able to see the marks on the flywheel because of dirt, but if the pic in your above post is your engine, it looks clean.

Do you have the timing light pickup on the correct plug wire? #1 is at the front of engine. Place pickup close to the plug. Don't dangle wires into alt or A/C belts or you're buyin' AZ a timing light.

 

[hward1]

its my engine - i didnt the clamp next to the plug but close -- i know when i go up hills it knocks -- so i guess its way off but i never get backfires -- i dont know if its weak its my first one -- i have done everything else except a new carb --

 

[Spike Strip]

If it knocks mildly up hills, but fine the rest of the time, it could prolly be backed off a couple degrees, or run higher octane gas, or back off the skinny pedal when going up hills, or don't go up hills.

 

[Two Buck]

...or don't go up hills.

I like how you covered all the options there.

 

[hward1]

ok got it figured out i guess -- i was confused at first because i couldnt see anything in the window -- thats how far my timing was off --- i noticed the idle went down about half -- no more bouncing needle when sitting still idling -- i dont know if i have any more power if any i have less but i notice when i let off of the pedal it doesnt have as much of a surge down -- hope to save some gas now - on this tank without timing changed i have almost a 100 miles and have a 1/4 of gas left - thats it -- i no the speedo is off about 7 miles per hour to fast

 

[Ned]

I think you have to have BB is on the marker with the timing light

 

[ntdb]

The BB is 7 degrees advanced, right? So if I’m aiming for 10 degrees (desmogged, close to sea level) then I would set my timing light to 3 degrees of advance and look for the bb?