Symptoms of advanced or retarded timing

[JeepSJ]

Since I am playing with my timing, I thought I would bring up a new topic. What are the symptoms of timing that is advanced or retarded?

For example, advanced makes these things rattle like a PSD. What are other things that are affected, such as EGT and boost and smoke and how does each of those change as the timing is advanced and retarded?

[mstockton]

...smoke and how does each of those change as the timing is advanced and retarded?
Too far retarded=White/Grey Smoke
Too far advanced (far advanced)=Black Smoke
Not a very finite adjustment though, just a basic "way too much" or "way too little" advance on the injection timing.

[dieseldummy]

Once you get to a certain point advanced starting will suffer, the same goes for retarded. To far retarded and it will smoke white/grey like mentioned above and may miss at various rpms. Boost will be up with timing retarded and go down with more advance. EGT's will be high with timing retarded and will be lower with more advance. When too far advanced the engine will begin to emit grey/black smoke under full throttle when it didn't under normal timing conditions.

I've played with just about every timing/power scenerio imaginable and have found that if it starts good, has managable EGT's, and sounds good it's as good as it gets. I've never had the pleasure of meter timing, but can tell you that different engine combo's require different settings so one number doesn't fit all.

[RoverIIa]

I'd like to add a question to this:

I recently rebuilt (completely) my 6.2, added a turbo, and some other gadgets, and am now having a problem starting/running it.

I had a timing issue (timed 180 out) and got that fixed. When assembling, I felt that the DSG gear set I was installing could not be lined up with the timing marks EXACTLY in line. I estimated that I was 1/2 of a tooth off, set to the drivers side, when looking at the front of the engine. The Idler Gears would not mesh if the marks were lined up exactly. The IP gears meshed exactly. When the IP gears are in mesh, the line on the damper is past the 0 TDC mark on the timing tab.

I had to set up this tab mark myself, using a dial indicator on the top of the #1 piston valve. The same change that required this required that I score a new IP mark on the top of the timing cover. The new cover had no mark.

Currently:

My truck starts. It fills the shop with noxious white smoke. An application of about 1/2 throttle pedal will make it rev until you can't hear anything over the turbo whistle. But... It won't idle. As it warms up, it will smooth out some, and get to the point where it will get closer to idle, but always stalls. I think that I have run it enough now to burn the fuel out of the exhaust that was deposited when I was trying to start with the timing wrong. Therefore... the white smoke is seemingly caused by poor or incomplete combustion. I have not road tested because I am waiting on my engine fan delivery and I do not feel that the Idle problem will allow me to road test safely.

I set the timing on the IP by transferring the mark with calipers from my old cover. I did the best I could. I do not have the J-tool static timing device.

Am I likely to be too far retarded (on the engine, not operator :o )? I have tried to advance the IP timing, but been unsuccessful as the tension on the lines has kept me from rotating the pump more than about 1/64th inch. Does the head of the pump rotate so that the lines can stay in place but the timing can change?

I have adjusted the idle screw to no avail.

Am I right to think that the timing and smoke could be linked? Is it possible that I'm looking at two separate issues and thinking they are the same?

I do not have a fast idle solenoid, or HPCA hooked up. I never have. Should I attempt to get these systems working?

I've been on this project for about 11 months now, and am beginning to lose track of what I did with my spare time in those BC years. (before chevy)

Any input is appreciated. I've already tried throwing tools... didn't work!:D

Does anyone know where I can buy a timing tool?

[dieseldummy]

The best thing would be to find a timing meter and set it that way since you guessed at the marks. Definately get the HPCA hooked up and working, that will help alot during cold starts. Sometimes to get more movement out of the pump you have to loosen the injection lines. Usually enough movement can be had, but it doesn't sound like it in your case.