Timing problems

[temj3]

I am having a timing issue with 289.. I cannot see the numbers on the HB when i turn on the gun... The light is conected to the right wire and it is flashing but the numbers are not seen. When the engine is not running i can see the numbers but n ot when it is running..can anyone help me with this?

[Rev]

Just take some white paint (I use my wife's "Liquid Paper"- and get in trouble for it too) to make a thin mark on the balancer where you want your initial timing to be (eg. 10 deg. BTDC). That will let you see it bright and clear. Also put a dab on the pointer as well. That makes it easy to see.

You also may have one of those lights that runs completely off of induction from the spark plug wire. Those emit a very weak light beam. If you do have that kind, do yourself a favor and get a good one powered from the car battery for a powerful light beam.

Rev

[temj3]

I actually made a scratch mark on the side of the HB to mark my spot and that dosnt even show up. I actually looks like i am on the wrog side of the HB. I can see the hb clear as day but no marks at all... If the timing is this way off then the car wouldnt run but it does run.. not real good but it runs.... it idles real high at about 1100 it seems.. which i why i am thinking the timing is off...

Any other suggestions? I appreciate any help you can offer..

[Rev]

You do have the timing light attatched to the #1 plug wire don't you? that's the front most cylinder on the passenger side on Fords.

Rev

[temj3]

I sure do. I checked it twice to just to make sure... Any other sugestions? I appreciate all your help.

[Phillyfanfrombirth]

You very well could be on the wrong side of the balancer. I'm pretty sure that some blocks are checked from the driver's side while others are checked from the passenger side. All it would take to get it wrong would be a different timing pointer that bolts on the right side versus one that is supposed to bolt to the left side of the timing cover...

Here it says exactly that as there are bolt patters for the 10 and 2 positions... The 10 o'clock position is bolted to the two holes on the lower left (facing the cover) and the 2 o'clock position is bolted to the two holes at the lower right.


http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...tegoryId=23037

These cast aluminum timing covers are designed to fit 1966-93 Ford cars and 1966-95 Ford trucks with 289, 302, 302HO and 351W engines, using either a standard or reverse rotation water pump. It has a universal fit for block or cover mounted dipsticks, ''10'', ''11'' and ''2'' o'clock bolt on timing pointer positions (timing pointer sold separately) and the provision for a mechanical fuel pump (block off plate for in-line pump sold separately). It includes timing cover seal and a plug for the cover when using a block mounted dipstick. This cover is ideal for race cars, show cars and street rods. Dress it up even more with a Jeg's Billet Timing Pointer, part number 555-51280, for the ''11'' o'clock TDC location or 555-51281 for the ''10'' o'clock TDC location.

Hope that helps.

[Gearhead999]

If you can't find the timing mark, as said before, you're sure that you're on #1 [right front] and timing pointer on left side. If all that is OK, then possibly the balancer has slipped. They are two pieces and the rubber deteriates and the outer ring moves.

Also, you can pull #1 spark plug out, pull the coil wire and turn the engine by hand, 15/16" socket on crank end, till it is up on TDC. You can find this by putting your thumb over the spark plug hole and listen for the "whoosh" as the piston comes up on TDC. The timing marks should like up then.

Hope that helps

[Rev]

All 289's have the #1 cyl at the passenger side front. Pointer is on the driver side top. Pull the #1 plug and hold your finger over the spark plug hole while someone "bumps" the starter. When the compression "squishes" the air past your finger, the pointer should be near TDC. If not, then the balancer is misoriented or something else is wrong. If that's all correct, then procede as mentioned earlier.

Rev

[temj3]

I will give this a shot.. Thanks for al the help. I greatly appreciate it...

[temj3]

well guys I figured it out....i have a vacum port that was plugged in wrong.. it runs so much better now....I appreciate all your help...

I do however have discovreed another problem. My oil smells like gas....what do you guys think would be the cause of this?

Thanks again for all your help...

[Rev]

Probably just blow by from worn rings. Run it for awhiile and see if it persists. If it does, then do a compression test to see how that looks. Cylinder to cylider ahould not be more than 10% difference (really should be less- 5% or so).

If too much (above 10%) you will need engine work. Complete rebuild recomended.

Rev

[DeltaMustang65]

I've had similar problems before. I can see the marks on my HB, but the #s are so worn I can't quite make them out. I had to look in the shop manual so I'd know which notches correspond to which #s.

Those vacuum lines can be a pain, too. I actually left one plugged up after adjusting the timing, and it really had me worried for a minute.

[Gearhead999]

If the gas in the oil is excessive, you may have a bad fuel pump. They can pump fuel into the crankcase through the pumps mounting hole.