Timing for this engine

MRROBER

MEMBER
1996 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
7.4L
V8
2WD
73,000 MILES

Does this have to be done by scanner or is there a drop wire on this truck? The timing is staying right at -26 degrees. That the reading on the scanner anyway. I can't set it by timing light. I just a little too old school I guess.

Monday, March 28th, 2016 AT 4:46 PM

5 Replies

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,761 POSTS

The ignition timing on this engine is not adjustable in any way so don't even try. If you attempt to turn the distributor you will only throw the camshaft offset out the window and the will run terrible and set a P1345 code.

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Monday, March 28th, 2016 AT 5:30 PM

MRROBER

MEMBER
9 POSTS

Well, I tried and it runs like crap and now it IS bringing ing the P1345 code again. At this point whats the solution to correcting my screw up? Do you just tighten the distributor down somewhere and then clear the codes or what? To me this doesn't make sense but I believe you. I think I'm going back to carburation. HahHa. Problem is it's not funny.

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Monday, March 28th, 2016 AT 7:44 PM

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,761 POSTS

You have to use a professional scan tool that can read cam offset data and adjust the distributor to bring that number to zero. It will allow a tolerance of plus or minus 4 degrees before it sets the code.

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+2

Tuesday, March 29th, 2016 AT 1:56 AM

MRROBER

MEMBER
9 POSTS

I bought a scanner and did it correctly. That's a costly timing process. Oh well now I can do the rest of the Suburbans. Thanls for your help.

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Tuesday, April 5th, 2016 AT 9:23 AM

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,761 POSTS

You have to remember. That is not timing that you are adjusting. You are just synchronizing the injectors and the rotor to the cap. It should never be touched unless the distributor has been removed.