2.3 timing trouble
#1
2.3 timing trouble
Alright so I just rebuilt my 2.3 and got it all put back in the car. Lined all timing marks correctly set dizzy at no 1 and tried to start it and yet it still acts as if it is out of time. I feel kinda stupid at this point cuz I have no idea where to go from here. HELP PLEASE
#2
RF Veteran
iTrader: (1)
Year of 2.3l?
I assume it is a 2.3l Lima engine because it has a distributor.
Distributor can be install 180deg off
Since you rebuilt the engine you probably noticed the Cam gear and oil pump/distributor gear are both twice the size of the Crank gear.
This means that the crank will rotate two times for each one turn of the Cam/oil pump gears.
Same for all 4-stroke engines, crank must rotate two full turns(4 strokes of piston) for one complete cycle.
Firing order of 2.3l Lima is 1-3-4-2
This means the crank's TDC mark will be on 0deg when piston #1 AND #4 are at their top dead center.
You can just pull out distributor rotate rotor 180deg then reinstall, to test if thats the problem.
Or swap the cap wires around, so 1 to 4 and 2 to 3
Or you can remove spark plug from #1 and then rotate crank manually until you hear air being pushed out of the spark plug hole, that is the compression stroke of #1 and at the top of this stroke correct TDC will be set and distributor rotor should be point at #1 wire.
After engine is started you can fine tune spark timing, you have a TFI spark system, so there will be a SPOUT connector, this allows computer to control spark advance, you must remove the connector to set base timing.
On the 2.3l the SPOUT connector was usually on the passenger side of the engine in the wiring harness.
Google: SPOUT connector
to see what it looks like
I assume it is a 2.3l Lima engine because it has a distributor.
Distributor can be install 180deg off
Since you rebuilt the engine you probably noticed the Cam gear and oil pump/distributor gear are both twice the size of the Crank gear.
This means that the crank will rotate two times for each one turn of the Cam/oil pump gears.
Same for all 4-stroke engines, crank must rotate two full turns(4 strokes of piston) for one complete cycle.
Firing order of 2.3l Lima is 1-3-4-2
This means the crank's TDC mark will be on 0deg when piston #1 AND #4 are at their top dead center.
You can just pull out distributor rotate rotor 180deg then reinstall, to test if thats the problem.
Or swap the cap wires around, so 1 to 4 and 2 to 3
Or you can remove spark plug from #1 and then rotate crank manually until you hear air being pushed out of the spark plug hole, that is the compression stroke of #1 and at the top of this stroke correct TDC will be set and distributor rotor should be point at #1 wire.
After engine is started you can fine tune spark timing, you have a TFI spark system, so there will be a SPOUT connector, this allows computer to control spark advance, you must remove the connector to set base timing.
On the 2.3l the SPOUT connector was usually on the passenger side of the engine in the wiring harness.
Google: SPOUT connector
to see what it looks like
Last edited by RonD; 03-17-2015 at 10:20 AM.
#3
The year of the block is an 89 but the dizzy is out of an 86 mustang I believe. The motor was converted to carb as I use it to in my mini stock so I have no computer or anything of that sort only electronics on it are the ignition box. I'm pretty sure you are right though. I believe it is 180 out. That will be first thing I check when I get home tonight. Thanks
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