First Post: Need Help

I've been lurking here for the last couple of months getting info on a 5.2 Magnum I have in a Ram Van. At 104K miles, it started running with a dead miss. After some messing around, I found there was 30% leakdown in #2 coming mostly through the intake valve, where everything else was around 4-7%. I ended up doing a valve job on it. It's running 85% better than it was, but still not quite right. There still seems to be a slight miss.

My question concerns the ignition timing spec. I know that I need to disconnect the coolant temp sensor before adjusting the timing(no small task in a van!), but I can't find the spec in any manual. The manuals refer me to the underhood sticker for the spec, which of course is missing from the van! I tried setting it at 5 degrees btdc(The timing tab only goes 5 degrees in either direction) and it runs like crap. I had it running pretty good, but it was at 14 degrees btdc(read using an advanceable light). Is that too much lead for this engine?

Thanks for any help in advance! I've about had it with this thing!

First off

WELCOME to the site

I moved this to the Van forum for better exposure

I bet someone here can give you some help

Good luck !

Thanks,

Sorry for posting under the wrong heading. I didn't think there'd be a difference in the powerplants. I figured I get more response in the truck section.

No matter, I just need to know what to set the dang timing to!!!

Year model? Alot of sources will tell you that the timing can be adjusted on any Magnum motor but this just isn't true. Almost all OBDII engines that use a crank sensor have no mechanical timing adjustment. This means if you move the distributor, the computer will just compensate and thus have no effect. 0 degree timing is acceptable on almost any motor. Not the best for performance or mileage, but will run just fine in normal driving. Give me the year model and I'll look up the timing specs for ya. Hope this helps.

It's a 95 2500 5.2 Magnum. Sorry for leaving out the specifics .

I noticed that with the coolant temp sensor connected that there was no reaction at the timing mark after a distributor move. But with the cts disconnected, I could get it to adjust somewhat.

Thanks for your help!

On Magnum engines the timing is controlled by the PCM and the distributor shouldn't be turned. If the distributor has been turned or removed there is a procedure to get it back to where it needs to be.

Originally Posted by Dodgevanman

...If the distributor has been turned or removed there is a procedure to get it back to where it needs to be.

What is the procedure? I removed the disributor during the course of doing the valve job. After getting it together, it seems to run fine. The only thing that worries me is that the timing is at 14 degrees btdc at idle. Is this okay?

Thanks.

To set the distributor correctly, bring the engine up to TDC on compression stroke on no. 1 cyl. Pop the distributor cap off and the rotor should be pointing at no. 1 cyl. position. There is a notch on the cam sensor that the rotor should align with. You can loosen the distributor and turn it to make the adjustment. If you need me to, I can scan the picture tonight when I get home from work.


BTW, my factory service manual does not give timing specs either.