timing

If anyone could please let me know how to tell if the timing is set correctly on a 1998 ford escort zx2 2.0L...thanks

are you talking about ignition timing?

its not as easy as just going out there and looking at it you have to actually take some components off. if the car runs then its probably safe to say you can do a compression test on all cyl. equally low cyls will indicate that perhaps it could be the timing especially if its recently been taken apart.

Ignition timing is controlled by the PCM it can't be adjusted. The valve timing controls signals the PCM though. I checked my valve timing by getting special order timing peg and piece of flat steel for $20 at Parts Plus. Pull off the valve cover and rotate the cams untill the slits at the end of the cams are horizontal but off center towards the top. (The slits aren't symmetrical.) Jam that piece of steel in the slits. If it fits, the engine is at TDC #1 cylinder. Check your timing marks on the crank pully. The right notch should be lined up with the sothern edge of a very small raised section of the oil pan. It's at the 4:30 position of the pulley. Mine didn't have any notches or raised marks because of who knows why but if it doesn't then drop the catalytic converter from the exhaust manifold and with a flexable arm there's a bolt in the block next to the crank sensor. Take that out and screw in the peg that came with the kit. When it's in, the crankshaft should be touching the peg or very close to touching the peg, rotationally wiggling the pulley back and forth. It will bang up against the peg you will feel it. There is enough play in the timing belt to do this. If it doesn't hit the peg your timing is off.

Hope this helps, maybe theres an easier way but this is how I checked mine.

shes talking cam timing., and the PCM timing can be adgisted w/o the use of a chip..just requires wire chacking and disabling the knock sensor.

I'm speaking in the "normal sense" of ignition timing. Stricktly stock applications. Sorry I didn't clarify. As a matter of fact I have my knock sensor disabled. It makes my crappy MAF Sensor behave a little better. :iceslolan

I'm speaking in the "normal sense" of ignition timing. Stricktly stock applications. Sorry I didn't clarify. As a matter of fact I have my knock sensor disabled. It makes my crappy MAF Sensor behave a little better. :iceslolan


i went from 116/116 peak numbers to 119.8whp and 123wtq and gained about 9whp/12tq at 5800

thanks for the response im going to see if that works..thanks so much