[DeTomaso] Timing Problem

[Peter Kovacs]

Jack,
   
  Please help me understand this.  Changing timing via the distributor position or firing order should not change piston to valve clearance. That is a mechanical limitation determined by the cam, lifters, pushrods, rockers and valves which would be unaffected by ignition timing. Changing the valve timing by jumping a tooth on the timing chain could have that effect. What am I missing here?

JDeRyke at aol.com wrote:
  Art, it sounds as if the plug wires were put on the cap out of order by one 
wire. This is simple to do and happens often. Normally, flames come out of the 
carb or exhaust since the timing moves about 20 degrees if you shift a single 
tooth. And no one can tell you if there'll be interference- it depends on the 
compression built into the motor; higher is more likely. If there is 
valve/piston contact, it's likely already happened- usually its an exhaust. If you know 
anyone with a borescope, it may be possible to see a half-moon on a piston 
top or two thru the sparkplug holes. If you feel comfortable with the engine now 
and its running OK, leave it alone, but if you want to dig in, first PAINT or 
label #1 post on the distributor cap a different color so your starting point 
is unmistakable.

Next, be aware that super-wow-wow aftermarket distributors use the same junk 
spring-pins as Ford did OEM. Unless you personally installed the drive gear on 
that distributor, knock the pin out, look to see if its a fragile spiral pin 
or a real roll pin, then double-pin it. Mad Dog found this out a few years ago 
at an ORR with his new motor- it caused his only DNF that year. Note that 
some pins bend before they break, causing serious timing changes. Good luck, pal- 
J Deryke


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Peter Kovacs
  Property Equity & Mortgage Mgmt
  209 345-6708 
  209 523-4919 fx