URGENT- STRANDED

Is the SPOUT plug connected? Cam timing looks OK to me. Without the SPOUT plug in, timing will be fixed at 10 deg, and it will build boost VERY easily and be SLOW. BTDT more than once. I always carry a timing light with me on a road trip to check such things.

Is the SPOUT plug connected? Cam timing looks OK to me. Without the SPOUT plug in, timing will be fixed at 10 deg, and it will build boost VERY easily and be SLOW. BTDT more than once. I always carry a timing light with me on a road trip to check such things.

It looked plugged in to me. I'll have to double check and see if it's ALL the way in. Tech would have unplugged that to set base timing, correct? Maybe it didn't make full contact. I'm not out at the new place where the car's sitting at the moment.

Sigh of relief, I think. Checked compression- only 15 psi difference between highest and lowest. They all seem low to me, though. 100-115. Is that acceptable? Last time I checked compression on anything was my old 7.3 Powerstroke so I'm used to seeing 350+

Today's new parts:

Plugs
Wires
Cap & rotor
Thermostat and premium gasket
Bypass hose (cut the old one removing it by accident)
Radiator cap

Ran it down the road after verifying no leaks and filling the radiator. She was still a dog and building boost/no balls. But I didn't see any coolant overflowing like before, so that's either a good thing or just a fluke.

Advanced the timing by ear a good bit, ran down the road- WOW... I can't believe what a difference that made. It's like a new car... Runs very strong now.

I need to get a timing light on it to make sure it's correct, but it's pretty obvious it was too retarded before.

On a side note- I can't "push it" by running hard in 100+ degree weather with A/C on to see how the coolant does.

1. It's not that hot here.
2. Since being out on the road- my A/C pump has apparently sheared the bolts holding it on the bracket! There was only two bolts on there, don't know why the third wasn't reinstalled by previous owner (converted to R134) but both bolts were sheared right off. Pump was kinda floppy and I'm surprised the belt didn't shred on that. Glad that belt only runs the pump though and nothing important.

I bet that the mechanic set the ignition timing without pulling the SPOUT plug, which will result in timing being retarded by 20+ degrees compare to what it should be. Severely retarded timing will also result in the engine running hot.

Did you have the throttle wide open when you did the compression test? Were all the plugs out and was it cranking pretty fast?

The engine needs to at least be warm, throttle wide open and hit on the compression stroke 5 to 6 times per cylinder

sounds like progress & time well spent...

i'm a firm believer that even if the parts you replaced werent the culprits, it sure cant hurt...

Warmed it up today and rechecked compression.

All are right around 120-130 PSI. Throttle wide open, cranking fast, 5-6 compression hits per check.

Put a timing light on and after 5 minutes of looking, figured out the spout connector. D'OH, I was thinking main plug- but obviously that isn't right haha.. unplugged the correct one and set timing to 10 degrees BTDC.

Jeff K- You were right, there's no way he had that disconnected to set timing.

All this trouble because he didn't pull that little plug. I could be very upset about it but it won't change the fact, so whatever. At least now I know how to do it. Sucks my dad had to shell out hundreds of dollars to drive out to Nebraska to pull me home, and I had to pay for two nights in a hotel, but hey that's life I guess.

So she seems to be running great now.

I really appreciate everyone's help, you guys rock!