running a little off timing

[86bayliner]

curious to know , will it hurt my engine, if i run it while the timing is a little off, and if its off its not much, the engine sounds really good<br /><br />??<br /><br />thanks <br /><br />86bayliner

 

[magster65]

Re: running a little off timing

Howdy,<br />A little... maybe not but why take a chance?<br />If you have use the boat, keep the rpm down until you can time it correctly. If it detonates you may not hear it in a well insulated engine compartment and it might 'kill' the engine in short order. Be careful with that one!!

 

[86bayliner]

Re: running a little off timing

Originally posted by magster65:<br /> . If it detonates you may not hear it in a well insulated engine compartment and it might 'kill' the engine in short order. Be careful with that one!

please help me understand , what do u mean if it detonates? and what do u mean "kill in short order"? Im still a newb, so please tolerate that question if it sounds stupid?<br /><br />thanks <br /><br />86bayliner?

 

[bomar76]

Re: running a little off timing

It means buy a timing light and time it.

 

[86bayliner]

Re: running a little off timing

i mean it does take a click or too of the key to get it cranked, but once its crranked it sounds really good at high and low rpms?<br /><br />An, when i put the distributor back in it almost seemed impossible to put it back in wrong, because of the slot in the top of the oil pump and the slot at the bottom of the distributor. Then I set #1 to tdc, found number one spark plug post on the distributor and then ran my firing order. <br /><br />and she perrs<br /><br /><br />thanks for the replies<br /><br /><br />86bayliner

 

[86bayliner]

Re: running a little off timing

Is there a way to time it without a light, like if you got into an emergency situatiion? how did they do it before there were timing lights.<br /><br /><br />thanks<br /><br />86bayliner

 

[dubs283]

Re: running a little off timing

How do you know your timing is off if you don't have a timing light?

 

[86bayliner]

Re: running a little off timing

Originally posted by dubs283:<br /> How do you know your timing is off if you don't have a timing light?

exactly my question? , in some respect, just a different angle?

 

[86bayliner]

Re: running a little off timing

lol " ? <br /> thats the challenge folks answer this question? How can you7, time a 1986 v8 305 engine without a timing light, is there a way? <br /> Because, I know i can add and subtract without a calculator? Dont be a snob and tell me to buy a timing light, obviously I will get one to check for accuracy to make sure besides id like to learn how to operate one anyway, but all I want to know is, CAN YOU?, is there a way to time without a timing light? Is it possible?, cause i always thought just about anything was possible.<br /><br />thanks, <br />86bayliner

 

[bomar76]

Re: running a little off timing

You need to buy: <br />1. A timing light<br />2. A manual<br /><br />Take a week off from posting and read the freaking manual.

 

[dubs283]

Re: running a little off timing

Do what bomar76 says. <br /><br />Buy a timing light, there are many options for inexpensive but very reliable lights on the market.<br /><br />Get the specs for your motor.<br /><br />Time the motor to the spec.<br /><br />See how well the motor runs.<br /><br />If there are any problems, address them at that time. <br /><br />Until then don't assume its okay to run your motor if you have removed the distributor and not timed it to spec.<br /><br />Just because it "sounds good" dosen't mean it's okay.

 

[magster65]

Re: running a little off timing

'Detonation' is pre-ignition... the air/fuel charge igniting prematurely. This can happen from too much cylinder pressure, a hot spot in the combustion chamber, poor octane content of the fuel or incorrect timing.<br />'Kill in short order' means that detonation is the air/fuel charge igniting before it should and it tries to stop the piston as it reaches TDC. That quiet pinging is the piston getting beat against the cylinder wall and rattling on the wrist pin. This causes the crankshaft to vibrate and also causes a sharp increase in combustion chamber temperatures. This can and will eventually melt a hole in the top of your piston and/or burn an exhaust valve. That's the 'kill' part and the 'short order' part means that it doesn't take long to happen (a few seconds in performance applications and even less in supercharged engines). It sounds like your re-assembly is correct and you have installed your distributer in the right spot but there is no way to time an engine correctly without a timing light (the degrees of timing btdc).<br />Lastly, timing lights have been around since engine technology has required them so basically there is no 'before timing lights'. A 'well seasoned veteran' (lotsa' salt and pepper... haha. I mean an experienced mechanic) can get the timing really close by ear but they will also know the importance of this and will have timing light. <br />There's more but I think you get the picture. These fella's are giving you sound advice. Take it. Make the purchase and be happy

 

[86bayliner]

Re: running a little off timing

thanks magster65, makes sense to me, thank you, so i just got it really close then, my buddy supposed to be bringing his light by after work, but you answered my question. Thank you.<br /><br /> As for the other's, I have a Seloc manual, and I do Read it, study it, I sleep with it under my pillow at night. I take it to work with me, (My girl says, "Im turnin', into a boat freak". ) the information iin the manual is worth alot and i do understand and know how to read it. But, I also hear there are better manuals than this, just havent found one yet. <br /> However nothing , and nothing is better than hearing from from folks just, who've done it before and has real time experience.? <br /><br /><br />thanks,<br /><br />86bayliner

 

[86bayliner]

Re: running a little off timing

whats the cheapest timing light for this job, that i can use to get it done if i have to do this myself, worst case?<br /><br /><br />thanks <br /><br />86bayliner?

 

[86bayliner]

Re: running a little off timing

whats the cheapest timing light for this job, that i can use to get it done if i have to do this myself, worst case?<br /><br /><br />thanks <br /><br />86bayliner?

 

[86bayliner]

Re: running a little off timing

wth, that was weird

 

[thunderroad]

Re: running a little off timing

My timing light came from Wal-Mart. It's plastic and probably wouldn't take too many drops on concrete but the only thing I need it for is my boat and it works just fine for that. It was about 25 bucks. I had set it by ear when I first changed the points and plugs and the light said I was 2 degrees slow. If I were in a position where I had to set it by ear in an emergency I'd advance it until it first gave a nice smooth idle, then back it up just a tad to be on the safe side. Rather have a little sluggish performance than cause detonation for even a short period.

 

[86bayliner]

Re: running a little off timing

once i get the timing light <br />, how do i adjust the timing forward or backward.<br />does the light do it, i mean doesnt the light just tell you where you are.??<br /><br />thanks <br /><br />86bayliner

 

[dubs283]

Re: running a little off timing

You really haven't been reading your manual have you?

 

[milkyway]

Re: running a little off timing

I am new to engines and I am ALSO embarking on what you want to do. And I don't want to ask these same questions. But if you read your seloc manual line by line, which I also have, there are marks on the front of the engine where you point the light, and the light will make those lines like "one" or straight, and therefore the timing is correct. The light does not do it, it guides you whehter to make the adjust/rotate the distributor. I hope I got it right.