think my problem is timing. .not sure. can u guys help

[demonicdragon]

think i found the route of my problems. i found TDC for my number one cylinder and looked at the mark on my balancer and it was at 2. from what i seen i should be around 8 degrees. how much should i turn my distributer and its that clockwise i should turn it? by the way i got a hei distributer with vacumn advance and motorcraft 2150 .

[eaglefreek]

If you absolutely found TDC, you're mark should be at 0.

[carnuck]

Make sure you are on compression and not exhaust stroke (or it will backfire) Pull #1 plug and put a screwdriver in the hole (carefully and make sure you don't bind it in there) Turn the motor with a wrench and watch the screwdriver rise/fall to get TDC and double check the balancer hasn't slipped on it's rubber ring.

[carguy87]

Bad balancer and worn chain and timing gears are pretty common on these. If yours are stock, take the time to replace that cam gear with the plastic teeth!  The set that was originally in the car when I bought it allowed about 3degrees of movement at the timing marks before it would turn the cam!

[carnuck]

3 is nothing. I've had some up to 20 degrees! (they usually jump at 15) Shouldn't have plastic gears though. If you change the timing chain, look around for a 4.0L timing cover and cam bolt (it has a spring loaded button!) to keep it from cam walking at a later time.

[demonicdragon]

my mark is at the first line.

[carnuck]

Turn the motor by hand to TDC (timing mark at zero) and pop the dist cap off. Then turn it backwards and see how far it goes before the rotor starts turning. Read the scale where the timing marks are and it'll tell you how much slop is in the chain.