Last time we installed a Diesel Performance Specialists DPS "turned up" injection pump, performance injectors, and new return line kit. (Installing a new return line kit would fix 95% of the problems we get asked about 6.9L/7.3L IDI engines. I wish someone would make a steel return line kit for these engines.) In this blog we'll tell you how we timed the injection pump. 

 We got our timing machine (J 33300-A)

from Gary or Icanfixall on Oilburners.net. He also supplied the wrench that's used to get at the three nuts holding the injection pump on. He also supplied the tool that's used to turn the injection pump and advance or retard the timing.

He also supplied the injection hole reamer used to make a good sealing seat. Just thread it in by hand. Not too tight as to not break the o-rings in the tool. Then we turned the the square nut 90 degrees and cleaned the holes with brake cleaner, wire brush, and compressed air.

We cleaned the dampener and magnetic pickup holder then installed the magnetic pickup line connected to the timing machine. This measures the engine's RPM. We used the top skinny holder next to the dampener. (sorry for the crappy picture).

Then we sanded the #4 injection line to bear metal and installed the clamp. (The cylinder numbers are marked on the intake manifold runners, odds on the left, even on the right, low numbers towards the front.) The wire has a ground and connects the machine to the clamp. This registers when the injection pump fires. We put the engine in PARK and spun it up to 2,000 rpm. After an initial run which came up retarded. We advanced the engine by turning the pump counter clockwise (looking at it from the front bumper). We wrenched it towards the passenger fender.
Do the timing change and then test again.

This time it was perfect 9.6 degrees Before Top DEAD CENTER (BTDC). 

Then we got in the truck for a test drive. But the transmission was in the wrong gear because the RPM pickup was dead. We found the short, replaced the fuse, and were back in business. 

We also had to install a new throttle position sensor. Which required recalibrating it with volt meter. Not sure if we did this right? Anyone know how to do right?

I'd like to dyno the truck. Before we couldn't spin the tires but now it was easy to burn rubber. Alex told me he got better MPG than normal on his drive back to Palm Springs from Las Vegas.