Timing help on 89 B2200

nicholasc220

A couple weeks back my serpentine belt started squeaking on startup. Around the same time the belt started squeaking, I started to have a recurring issue where my truck would instantly drop to 0 rpms. I figured it had to be electrical, my first thought being the belt wasn’t engaging with the alternator pulley. I examine the belt and notice it is really worn, cracked and loose. I replaced it. And after I replaced it, my truck was running rough, and having trouble starting. It is misfiring from cylinders 2 and 3. Both are getting spark, good compression ect. I figured its timing related. When I got it running again earlier, checked the ignition timing, it was far out of time, like 20-30 degrees past tdc. I Re align my distributer so the rotor is in line with the cylinder 1 cable. Now it doesnt want to start at all. Ive tested and am very positive all plugs are receiving spark. Can’t check the timing because I cant get it running, but the belt isn’t slipping, tdc is still in line with the distributor. What should I be checking next?

MazdaMitch

You say it's misfiring on number two and three sometimes? So how do you know this how have you checked it?

It seems like a lot going on here from just the start of a squeaky belt...

By the way there is no serpentine belt on these trucks you only have an alternator belt maybe a power steering belt and maybe an AC belt.

They're all separate belts and then you have your timing belt behind the cover.

Maybe you're misfire is coming from some bad plug wires and one is arcing to the other???

But again how certain are you that you have a misfire how did you test?

When doing the distributor alignment (I hope you didn't pull it out and put it back in) it should be around the 9:00 position roughly and not pointed at the number 1 cable like a V8 Chevy.

There are extensive docs here on the website in the files section about timing. You may want to have a look.

nicholasc220

MazdaMitch thank you mr mazda, I Looked through some of the documents, specifically the checking your timing document. I pulled the upper cover, Got it to top dead center with the cam #1 mark lined up perfectly. Then I got the distributor rotor lined up at roughly 9 oclock. Now when I turn the ignition It seems like it will briefly run, only when Im turning the ignition, then dies as soon as I let go of the key. I turned the engine back to tdc by hand, and the timing is still good. Is there another issue you know of? Maybe something ignition switch related? I’m sort of lost.

Cusser

nicholasc220 Now when I turn the ignition It seems like it will briefly run, only when Im turning the ignition, then dies as soon as I let go of the key.

This sounds like the exact symptom of a bad electrical part of the ignition switch. TEST IT, see if coil positive terminal has positive voltage when you release the key from "Start" to "Run" position.

My 1988 B2200 had the exact same symptom back in the 1990s, I replace the electrical part.

MazdaMitch

You may need a partner and have someone crank the vehicle and get it started a little bit and then you'll need to advance the timing using the distributor.

It's not going to run good at top Dead center at all. It comes from the factory at 6° before top dead center and if you run a Weber or just anything in general it needs to be 10 to 12 degrees no matter what because the six degrees was only to satisfy the stupid EPA.