I could be wrong, but I don't think the cam sensor only detects every 180 rotation.

 

Here's a pic of mine:




When I saw the innards for the first time, it became readily apparent that all the CMP could possibly be doing is detecting whether or not it was seeing that (approximately) 180-degree piece of metal in front of it. Hence, my questions.

 

The distributor controls when the injectors fire, the crank sensor along with every other sensor feeds info to the PCM and the PCM decides when to fire the plugs based on info from the other sensors.

The only way you can change timing is to reprogram the PCM or move the crank sensor by enlarging the mounting holes. Moving the distributor will not do anything to the timing, it will only FUBAR the fuel Sync.

Don't over analize or simplify this, the distributor does not control the timing, the PCM does, and it involves every sensor on the truck...Which is why it's a bad thing to launch a stock truck on the convertor, the PCM detects the added RPMS but the speed sensor does not detect any speed so it cuts the timing. Every sensor on the truck sends info to the PCM, the PCM makes changes...There isn't one single thing that contols the tune/timing on these things.

EDIT: Which is why I'm going to carb on my Dakota....

 

I pretty much disagree with the second part, and none of that answers my direct question:

"If the distributor is moved relative to the rotor, how does this not effect when a spark is delivered to a specific cylinder? ("The PCM controls it" won't cut it; I'd like to know exactly how it would know how to deliver the spark so that it arrives at the plug at the same time it would have had the distributor not been moved. I'm not adamantly insisting that the timing changes; just wondering why it doesn't, if in fact it doesn't".

Just want to reiterate that I'm by no means saying that you can do anything constructive by moving the distributor cap since the PCM seems to want it just where it is, for the sake of fuel control, and, I would add, the sake of spark control. It still seems to me that you can change the moment a spark arrives at a given cylinder relative to the position of the crankshaft by moving the distributor. I can't think of what sensor would instruct the PCM to compensate for that, if it could at all.

And as for "bazillions of sensors", let's not make this any more complicated than it needs to be. I can think of seven that directly concern spark and fuel:

Throttle position sensor/TPS
Intake air temperature sensor/IAT
Coolant temp sensor
Manifold absolute pressure sensor/MAP
Crankshaft position sensor/CKPS
Camshaft position sensor/CMP
O2 sensor(s)

I'm not counting EGR, EVAP, or transmission sensors/controls, or vehicle speed sensor, since I don't really think they're involved in what I'm asking about. If you want to count them, go ahead. If I left something out, I'm sure someone will let me know; just please try not to be a jerk about it. I'm just trying to understand exactly how our engines work; a fairly legitimate pursuit.

Again, it seems to me that the PCM operates under the assumption that the distributor housing is aligned a certain way. And I still don't see how it would know that it has been moved, and how a spark would arrive at a given plug at the same time as if it hadn't been moved.

***

"Don't over analize or simplify this, the distributor does not control the timing, the PCM does, and it involves every sensor on the truck... "

I think you're under-analyzing what I'm saying, by assuming that because our engine management system is designed so that sensors inform the PCM how to adjust timing that nothing you do to the distributor can affect it. You're not going to affect it for the good, and yes, you'll screw up the fuel injection in the process, but I still say you can affect the timing by cranking the distributor way out of position. Taken to its most extreme position, I think my point can be made by pointing out that you can certainly affect engine timing by removing the distributor.

(Does anyone out there have the foggiest idea what I've been saying this whole time?)

 

So just what are you asking...?

Moving the distruibutor affects when the injectors fire. Period. You set that with a DRB at a Chrysler dealership or with a SNAP ON scanner with the correct module plugged in...You twist the distributor till it reads "0" for a stock motor, maybe +4 for a modded motor...If you move it after that, you have killed just the fuel Sync.

Moving the distributor doesn't do anything for the timing....Sheeesh.

 

"So just what are you asking...?"

I have phrased the questions as clearly and logically as I am capable of doing. I refer you to them.

And I can do without "sheesh".

 

OK...Can moving the distributor affect the timing....?

Who really cares...?

If you would try to comprehend the FACT that moving the distributor a few degrees kills the all important fuel sync, this would be a non issue.

 

Just want to reiterate that I'm by no means saying that you can do anything constructive by moving the distributor cap since the PCM seems to want it just where it is, for the sake of fuel control, and, I would add, the sake of spark control. It still seems to me that you can change the moment a spark arrives at a given cylinder relative to the position of the crankshaft by moving the distributor. I can't think of what sensor would instruct the PCM to compensate for that, if it could at all.

That's where your problem is...You can't move the distributor without killing the fuel sync, so why would you?

Do some research on Fuel Sync, you will better understand just what is going to happen when you move the distributor once you paid someone almost 100 bucks to set it...

 

I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt, and assume that you simply haven't read what I have said in this thread.

"You're not going to affect it (timing) for the good, and yes, you'll screw up the fuel injection in the process, but I still say you can affect the timing by cranking the distributor way out of position".

"Just want to reiterate that I'm by no means saying that you can do anything constructive by moving the distributor cap since the PCM seems to want it just where it is, for the sake of fuel control, and, I would add, the sake of spark control".

So I do comprehend the rather obvious FACT that you somehow think I am incapable of comprehending.

Remember, this thread started out with someone asking if he could screw up his timing by moving the distributor. The answer is yes. You will screw up your timing as well as your fuel injection. I really don't care if you care or not.

 

"That's where your problem is...You can't move the distributor without killing the fuel sync, so why would you?"

And your problem lies in the fact that you somehow think I'm advocating this. Did you read this entire thread, or are you just hell-bent on being combative?

If you do read it in its entirety, you might see where I'm coming from, and why I find much of what you're saying extremely annoying.