Timing change when SPOUT installed

[Folvo Wagon]

I was wondering if anyone new what the ignition timing moves to after installing the SPOUT.  In other words, you set the base timing and then what do you get at idle after you reinstall the SPOUT?  I have a 93 Cobra ECU etc if that matters. 

I'm still trying to diagnose my crazy timing issue.  Cara A. has suggested that my harmonic balancer may have slipped and now the timing marks are all cattywompus, giving me fits since the car doesn't run right when set the timing is set to the book.   

Thanks!

[TireSmoke]

That would be impossible to tell without knowing what else the engine is doing...such as throttle position and engine rpm.  The reason you adjust the timing with the spout out is because the ECU is always changing the amount of advance.  Somewhere in the neighborhood of 20-24° over base timing sounds about right?

[TireSmoke]

I guess I suggest you bring the motor to #1 TDC by *the piston* and see where the balancer is...

have you taken the dizzy out any time lately?

[Folvo Wagon]

That would be impossible to tell without knowing what else the engine is doing...such as throttle position and engine rpm.  The reason you adjust the timing with the spout out is because the ECU is always changing the amount of advance.  Somewhere in the neighborhood of 20-24° over base timing sounds about right?

The engine is idling at 750RPM and warm.  Are you suggesting that the timing at idle is over 30deg advanced?  That sounds crazy to me, but I am certainly a newbie with this Ford stuff.  Does the ecu retard the timing during the start sequence so it actually starts? 

Thanks!

[Folvo Wagon]

I guess I suggest you bring the motor to #1 TDC by *the piston* and see where the balancer is...

have you taken the dizzy out any time lately?

Yes, that is the plan for this weekend.  Should answer the harmonic balancer question.

BTW, what the heck is the "dizzy"

[TireSmoke]

LOL....motor head talk for:

DISTRIBUTOR!

[TireSmoke]

well I guess I dont know what total timing at idle would be at idle.  I run spout out 34° and picked up 1mph and 1 tenth in the 1/4 ....so it cant be that bad???  It idles pretty foul though so im sure the ecu pulls a lot of timing at idle

I'm probably picking up power in the area the ECU still is pulling timing, where i'm already at 34°

[Evil95GT]

Folvo,
I've made several threads about my mishap with my balancer. I thought it wasn't a common thing, so I never in a million years guessed that's what the problem was. The inertia ring slipped, so when it looked to be 10*, who knows what it actually was. Just put it this way. Even at 14* initial, the car wouldn't run. The idle was for crap. However, bump it up to say, 28* (even higher), the car ran like a champ, and never had a ping. The easiest thing to do is to take that balancer off, and compare it to a new one (or one you know isn't bad). Match up the key way, and if it slipped, you'll be able to see a BIG difference (mine was about 3-4 inches OFF). Let us know how it works out.

[Evil95GT]

Did you ever get this figured out? 

[mgerman93]

tiresmoke,  what compression are you running with the timing locked out?  do you use a start retard?

[TireSmoke]

With the GT40P heads it should be just a bit over 8.5:1 compression....I'm currently using stock ignition with no BTM or extra timing management.  34° Spout out total timing seems to pull the hardest...and I get away with running 89-91 octane gas.  It definitly idles pretty fat/enviromentally non-friendly, but it gets into the timing faster than the ECU's mapping.  Well...under like 4500rpm its still 34°