Ok I just wanted to make sure that something wasnt going on. Is there any way to know if the timing has been advanced without tearing the truck apart? Ive heard that normaly you have to give these 12vs some throttle to start them when cold and mine lights right off just like the 24v.

 

Well a quick check to make sure it hasn't slipped would be to rev it up in neutral and see how high it goes. Should peg out at 3200 RPMs and not pop or throw any smoke (well maybe a lil black). I've seen a couple trucks barely make it to 2800 that have had it slip really bad. Poppin' and sputtering and blue smoke on the top end.

As for finding out if it's been advanced no dice w/o checking it with a dial indicator.

 

when you say that it slips are you talking about the timing sliping and changeing?

I went out with acouple freinds tonight I was in my truck and they were in my buddys 7.3 powerstroke and we were just out tearing up the streets and I wound it up really good on one pass and I got it up there and it definetly wont go to 3500 so Im guessing its got a 3gsk in it correct? it got up to about 3200 maybe 3300 and you could hear what I thought to be the governer come it and its hard to describe Ive heard it in videos before its like it poping or clipping.

 

That sounds like a 3K kit, you should be able to feel it defuel. The truck will seem like it just cut out.

As far as the timing, yes it can slip but when it does it will only retard. Never heard of one advancing. The only way to check the timing is a dial indicator. Once you figure out TDC, you can mark the balancer with a paint pen to allow you to check it without using the timing pin, but still need the dial indicator.

 

If I take it in to get the timing set what do you guys suggest I get it set to? 16.5? I dont tow really heavy right now but I want to be able to in the future, Im mainly just hualing *** around town I commute to school 50 miles each way everyday.

 

16.5 might be a little much, especially if you are going to tow. I recommend shooting for 15*. The timing is a rough adjustment due to the size of the gear and the pain in doing it. You shoot for 15, put the gear in and end up between 14.5 and 15.5. You could pull it out again and retry it to get it exact by trying to move it one tooth but since you have moved the motor to check it, it is not an exact science. The pressures in the cylinder go up greatly when you advance timing, so if you go up beyond 15/15.5 you run the risk of blowing the head gasket.

 

I pinned it in neutral at a stop sighn today and its went up to 3500 and ran rough and blue a whole lot of whit/blue smoke, I backed it down to 3k and its was perfect. Is this normal or what is going on?

If it wound up to 3500 that would be a 4gks right?

 

Depends, I know you're sick of hearing that already , on how tight the springs were turned. My bet is that it is a 3K kit, and the screws might be a little tight. Depending on how mechanical you are, or want to be, you can probably go in and back them off a click. But it could be a 4K that is set to light which might explain the stiffer valve springs, because you don't usually need them until you start spinning the motor past 3500 rpm.

 

Im going to call the previous owner and see if I can get more info on what mods are done. Whats with the smoke though?

 

They do that on the top end when the timings off. Timing helps the top end so I'd say unless you plan on spending alot of time over 3k leave it alone.

15-16* is usually pretty good setting. Mine was set to 15.5* last time, it had slipped down to around 9-10*.