Frankenford93

I have been curious if my timing is a bit off. I have been smelling a little gas, and am wondering if the car is a little rich. Changed plugs,wires,Maf sensor car idles at 700 rpm's but engine still seems a bit rough at idle. Any idea what that could be? If timing is the answer how do I time the engine? 93 5.0 engine. Thanks alot.

Tony71502

Check for vacuum leaks. Without a timing light you can't really check your timing. It should be at 10 degrees for stock. Unless timing is horribly advanced/retarded it should not affect idle.

wildman97

Do you have an O/R H-Pipe? if so that is probably why your smelling gas.

Tony71502

I've got an off road X-pipe and don't smell any gas.

I'd be more willing to bet a gas smell is coming from a disconnected charcoal canister, which could also cause a vacuum leak. The gas vapor from the fuel tank is injected into the intake manifold via the charcoal canister and lines. If disconnected, only air goes in that hole, unless capped off.

nitrous_bob

to correctly time it, you want it warmed up.

then while running remove the SPOUT connector, its the plug on the end of the dizzy harness. then adjust the timing, then put the SPOUT back in

if you dont do it like that..it wont take it correctly.

before you start you should crawl under it...and with some emery cloth or fine sand paper scuff up the balancer marks. then paint the numbers and lines with whiteout ,chalk, or white paint and rub off the excess. the numbers and lines will be easy to see then.

FYI you want the scale that goes from 0-20 thats BTDC -NOT- 10-0 thats ATDC

12* is best for most people on 87 octane

Frankenford93

O.K. Thanks! I have been leaning more towards a vacuum leak.

Frankenford93

So what would be the best way to track down a vacuum leak? No H pipe either. My car is bone stock for now.

nitrous_bob

most of them just by looking at the vac lines. the plastic ones get brittle and snap, the rubber ones get dry rotted and either dont seal anymore, or deteriorate

check near the dizzy for sure from the intake manifold, and the plastic ones on the passenger side firewall

Frankenford93

Thanks again! Will begin checking for them after the new year!