This weekend im fixing the plenum and installing a new timing chain and gears. My question is while i'm changing the timing chain would i be ahead of the game to advance the timing a little, and if so how much.

 

Nope. The timing is controlled by the pcm. It won't do anything for you.

 

Think he is referring to cam timing.

I don't know..... it might annoy the PCM, and your truck would run like 5h17......

 

I will play devil's advocate, and tell you that the most it should be advanced (from what I've read elsewhere) is 4*... But be warned: you may get more headaches than ponies.

 

i ordered my new timing set today and the one i ordered said it was changeable to +/- 4*. has anyone on here advanced there cam timing?

 

Mine came that way too. I installed it straight up anyway. I was truly amazed at the difference in the way the truck ran...... Probably the best 'mod' I have done to the truck so far.

 

so i installed the new timing set this weekend, now the truck starts right up but idles rough. i followed the instructions to the letter and installed it straight up(timing marks lined up perfect) i didn't advance it just put it back to stock, and can't figure out the rough idle. idk if this matters but on my old timing chain the marks didn't line up, (probably a 1/4 inch off) but the old chain was incredibly loose, i mean scary loose.

 

I THINK you we're suppose to line up the mark manually on the old set, remove the set, then install the new set the same way the old set was. I THINK...not sure though.

 

yeah thats the way i did it on my truck. Confirmed it in my chiltons. You have to line up the old set pull it straight off and then slide new set on the same way. I had to use alot of brake clean to get the crap off my old set to see the marks. But after i did my truck became a whole new animal runs way better than it ever did before.

 

So what would be his next step? I would think he would need to find TDC, take the timing set off then put the timing set back on with the marks lined up...or find a good mechanic.