• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Car won't run, timing marks not there - HELP!!!

  • Thread starter Thread starter DREDD_LX93
  • Start date Start date Mar 7, 2010
D

DREDD_LX93

New Member
Mar 1, 2010
39
0
0
Mar 7, 2010
#1
  • Mar 7, 2010
  • #1
Hey guys, in the process of trying to fix my car, I took a look at the timing and the hash marks are no longer there by the timing pointer.

It seems the dampener has turned. When I first started working on the car, the timing was clearly set at 10 degrees, and I could see the hash marks.

Since the car will not start at the moment, how can I reset the timing?

I actually tried by pulling on the drivebelt but it didn't move a millimeter!

Please help, I think I fixed the part that was broken (ECM relay), but now the timing seems to be way off.

Thanks!
 
9

93 5.0 GT

New Member
Apr 9, 2009
122
0
0
Graysville, Indiana
Mar 7, 2010
#2
  • Mar 7, 2010
  • #2
is this a 5.0 or 2.3
 
D

DREDD_LX93

New Member
Mar 1, 2010
39
0
0
Mar 7, 2010
#3
  • Mar 7, 2010
  • #3
Sorry, it's a 5.0 LX Auto.

I died on me a few months back, and since then I've been replacing parts left and right (parts I was going to eventually, sooner rather than later, gonna have to replace anyway):

1. Battery
2. Starter
3. Distributor (I installed it correctly, per the instructions of making a note where the rotor was located)
4. Fuel pump
5. ECM Relay
6. Fuel Pump relay
7. Ignition switch
8. Tune up (spark plugs, wires,

Car cranks but won't run. Fuel pump works. I've verified that the injectors are not receiving signal, which indicates either ECM or ECM Relay. I've replaced the relay, a used ECM is on it's way, but I just saw that the timing hash marks are not there anymore, so need a way to reset the timing on a car that won't turn on.

Thanks!
 
9

93 5.0 GT

New Member
Apr 9, 2009
122
0
0
Graysville, Indiana
Mar 7, 2010
#4
  • Mar 7, 2010
  • #4
You pull the #1 plug out and stick your finger in the hole. Rotate the engine by hand until you feel air blowing out of the hole, it should be coming up to the timing marks on the balancer, set it to 0 degrees. Put the plug back in. Then put the distributor in with the rotor button pointing at the #1 plug wire, making sure you have the distibutor oriented so that you have room to rotate it in order to time it once it starts. That should be all you need to do.
 
9

93 5.0 GT

New Member
Apr 9, 2009
122
0
0
Graysville, Indiana
Mar 7, 2010
#5
  • Mar 7, 2010
  • #5
This will help

http://*******.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=c0f8b599650daa2eaa9ff148d6821d4d&topic=7114.0
 

BlownFiveLiter

have car, will race....wait, it doesn't run
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
3,133
18
108
Chicagoland
Mar 7, 2010
#6
  • Mar 7, 2010
  • #6
Sounds like you need a new balancer. The outer ring has separated from the inner.
 
D

DREDD_LX93

New Member
Mar 1, 2010
39
0
0
Mar 7, 2010
#7
  • Mar 7, 2010
  • #7
Ok, that part, "rotate the engine by hand", how exactly do I do that?

Does that involve removing the drivebelt so I can turn the crank?

That's the part I'm stuck on.
 
9

93 5.0 GT

New Member
Apr 9, 2009
122
0
0
Graysville, Indiana
Mar 7, 2010
#8
  • Mar 7, 2010
  • #8
put a 5/8 socket with ratchet on the bolt in the center of the bottom pulley and turn it to the right
 

l1k2gadd

New Member
Oct 27, 2007
53
0
0
Summerfield, Florida
Mar 7, 2010
#9
  • Mar 7, 2010
  • #9
A "remote starter switch" can be used to do this also (to turn the engine to find #1 cylinder compression stroke for correct distributor installation).

If you know someone that has an older timing light set some of them came with remote starter switches. The remote starter switch connects to the + battery terminal and the S post on the starter solenoid. When you press the switch the car will crank (with the key off). This will allow you to crank the car and observe the compression stroke and the exhaust stroke with your finger in the spark plug hole so you don't mistake the two and install your distributor 180 degrees off.
 
D

DREDD_LX93

New Member
Mar 1, 2010
39
0
0
Mar 7, 2010
#10
  • Mar 7, 2010
  • #10
Thanks guys! I'm gonna try turning the balancer with the ratchet and see what happens.
 
D

DREDD_LX93

New Member
Mar 1, 2010
39
0
0
Mar 10, 2010
#11
  • Mar 10, 2010
  • #11
Ok, I finally got the ECM from ebay, and that's what the problem was. The injectors fired right up (noid light lit up).

However, as soon as it turned on, it bogged and then died.

I'm gonna do the timing thing per the instructions given previously, but I had a few questions before I start.

I know that I'm supposed to turn the crank until the timing reaches 0 degrees, and set the rotor to point to the #1 spark plug.

My first question is, do I remove the SPOUT connector before I TRY turning on the car the first time (AFTER doing the steps above)? Or do I leave it connected?

At what point will I set it to 10 degrees BTDC (the factory setting)? Or will this happen automatically once the engine starts?

Also, I've read that bumping the timing up to about 14 degrees provides more power (with 91+ octane gas). Should I wait to do this after the above steps, or can I do this from the very beginning?

Thanks for the tips, guys. I've always been a musclecar fan, but I'm fairly new to actually working on cars, I'm willing to try new things, but always carefully. This timing stuff scares me a little, I don't want to blow up my engine (can't afford a rebuilt short block right now!).

Thanks!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

L
Help with 1986 GT 5 Speed Please
  • Lcasada1999
  • Mar 20, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
7
Views
238
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jun 21, 2026
CAMTWO1070
S
Timing chain, guides and tensioner installation (Possible orientation in Intake Stroke)
  • StallionMax
  • Sep 21, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
375
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Sep 24, 2025
StallionMax
S
Drivetrain 83’ Glx convertible C5 Trans help!
  • JacksonJared2113
  • Dec 25, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
366
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Dec 26, 2025
JacksonJared2113
8
Engine Rough idle and aggressive sputtering when accelerating
  • 88vertible
  • Aug 13, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
4
Views
1K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Dec 13, 2025
Jarhead67
J
M
Too much for me to repair in my current housing situation
  • My Drama Magnet 04 Gt
  • Apr 1, 2026
  • The Welcome Wagon
Replies
8
Views
259
The Welcome Wagon Apr 14, 2026
Noobz347
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?