Timing question

[Skoobie]

So Nickel and I were trying to trouble shoot my shudder/idle problem and noticed a few oddities. My TPS voltage was ok (.98v) and I did a complete cleaning of the throttle body but when we went to check my timing I was running 21-22 deg, normal is 15-16 I think? The only thing we could think of was that the timing had to be advance because of the E cam? Does anyone know if this is correct or should I reset it to factory spec? Also when we were timing the car Nickel noticed my harmonic balancer was 'warbaling'. Insead of a nice smooth rotation it was moving back and forth about a 1/4 in or so. Is it suppose to do that? Could this account for the shudder? Thanks for the help guys

 

[Rootus]

22* with the spout out is way too much timing. But I bet it's not really 22* . The fact that the balancer is wobbling means its shot -- and yes, that could account for the shudder. I would definitely get it replaced before something breaks in the bottom end. And back to the timing -- the balancer has probably spun, which makes the timing marks etched on it completely invalid. If you were really running 22* of base timing, you would be pinging badly.

Dave

 

[Skoobie]

That makes sense. Other than the shudder the car runs great. I called Schucks today and hey had a balancer in for $70. Do you need to have and special tools for changing it out? Or should I just give it to a mechanic?

 

[Scooby5.0Doo]

just a puller and a big socket and you could do it your self in a couple a mins. putting back on is a diferent story you need a tq wrench to get it tight enough you dont want that thing to come loose on you

 

[loud 95]

Hairy Canary is quite right. The changing of the balancer is easy with an el cheepo balancer puller from a local auto store. Obviously, make sure you have the spout connecter out when you set initial timing. Otherwise, timing in the twenties is to be expected with the computer advance.

 

[Skoobie]

*RANT* I hate buying specialty tools....and I REALLY hate having to buy two specialty tools, one to take off the balancer and one to put it back on *END RANT* Well I dont exactly have to buy one to put it back on but I have to go out of my way to get a longer than OE bolt, bushing, washer and other items to put the damn thing back on. Oh well hopfully after a trip to home depot tonight the thing will be put back together. On last question though, do I have to re-time the car after the balancer is changed out or should things stay where they were before it spun?