Yesterday i adjusted the timing on my 1989 2.8L. Everything went fine except for a major oil puddle afterwards (probably loosend the 15mm bolt too much. anyway). But what I don t really understand is if I give it 14° advance the engine will run better than if I leave her at 10° or 12°. My question is is it better to have a lower idle speed or a higher one if I adjust it by ear.
Thanks for advice folks.

 

The timing chain might be worn out, or the outer ring of the balancer may have slipped. I remember a few guys couldn't use 10 degrees advance (stock setting); their cars would barely run, and had no acceleration. They went to 12 or 14 and ran perfectly- but a guy like me with a new chain can run at 10 degrees, no problems.

 

Thanks. I am guessing that it s a stretched chain since the damper looks okay.

 

My guess on the oil leaking would probably be the O-ring on the distributor shaft. Mine was leaking, and when I pulled the distributor out, the O-Ring looked just fine. But as I tried to slip it off it snapped, and sure enough on the inside was cracks. After I replaced it, I noticed an increase in oil pressure too, so I think that did the trick.

 

You are right. Thats probably the cause for my oil leak. Thanks for the advice.

 

That reminds me, I've still got to get a pic up of what a "bad" balancer looks like.