Retarded Cam? - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

SiX_iN_a_RoW · 03-16-2003, 18:23

Hey guys, Im in the middle of replacing the timing chain guides in my EA and noticed that my Cam Sprocket mark seems to be fairly retarded when the engine is on TDC

http://www.fordforums.com/attachment.php?postid=367589

Thanks for the pic Rollin, the red mark represents where mine is sitting. Should I try advancing it a tooth?
Any suggestions? The car does feel remarkably doughy down low, much more sluggish than any other EA I have ever driven, but once shes passed 100k's she flies

Any suggestions appreciated

oh by the way the chain is less than 5 months old

NZ · 03-17-2003, 00:23

Im not advising you to advance it but it does look as though its 1 tooth out. Just make sure that your TDC mark on the pulley is true TDC otherwise youd risk breaking stuff

SiX_iN_a_RoW · 03-17-2003, 00:37

hehe yeah thanks karl, I'll have the timing cover off on wednesday so i will double check it

Soxx · 03-17-2003, 00:47

Ignore the marks on the pulley, stick a dial gauge in no.1 spark plug and find true TDC.
When you do it, re-mark the pulley too, if it's out of course.

Rick.

Rollin · 03-17-2003, 00:58

wherever did you find that pic? you must have been looking waaaaaay back in the archives!!

mmmmmmm red valvesprings...wish i could get a clear rocker cover so i could see them more often

i think that advancing the cam one tooth would make the mark line up with the top of the head exactly, which could make a difference...thats a fair few degrees out of wack.

obviously though before you advance the cam make sure the crank is at TDC, if your balancer has slipped then you could be causing yourself big dramas re: valves and pistons getting togather.

good luck

SiX_iN_a_RoW · 03-17-2003, 01:03

yeah well we checked the mark on the pulley with the old screwdriver trick when changing the dizzy and its was spot on, but as I said, I will have the timing cover off on wednesday, i think they have a mark on them (?)
but yeah it definately feels like it is retarded when driving.
by the way yeah I did a search for cam timing lol

TA22-3SGTE · 03-17-2003, 03:45

If it is very slow down in the low revs and goes when the revs get up it means your valve timing is retarted ( good for high revs but no good for normal driving ) advance your cam up to the mark an you will pick up heeps of low down pull .

Trevor

NZ · 03-17-2003, 03:49

Sounds like half ya hesitation probs too dude