6.2 diesel timing advance?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

ian s

Junior Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2019
Posts
9
Reaction score
16
Location
Oxford nc
First Name
Ian
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
6.2l
This may be a stupid question but has anyone played with the timing on their 6.2 with a turbo to find a sweet spot between starting and performance. I’ve read around the internet and it seems like most people are timing these engines by feel. My engine only has about 50,000 miles on it so I assume there is not much stretch in my chain to retard timing but is it worth trying a small advance for a power increase and if so how much advance is good for a newer engine. Fuel economy and smoke are no concern but heat and cold starting issues are things I’d like to avoid.
 

Blue Ox

Turning Diesel Fuel Into Fun
Joined
Mar 27, 2018
Posts
4,831
Reaction score
10,631
Location
LI-NY
First Name
Derek
Truck Year
MCMLXXXV
Truck Model
K20HD
Engine Size
6.2L
Jeez Rusty, is quarantine boring you?

Well, here I am again. What was that thing about a nickel?

Timing advance,... the more advance you put in them the better they run. Right until the rod bearings pound out.

I think the tolerance is +/- .5°. Unfortunately for you, the only way to know for sure is an electronic timing tool with a clamp-on sensor on the injector line. That spec was 3.5° (C engine) 4.5° (J engine) @ 1300 RPM with 9.5° offset for the mag pickup. No offset for a timing light. So if that's the case, setting it up for 5° would make it pretty snappy. Without the tool, usually turning the injection pump about 1/16" to 1/8" to the driver's side would give you about as much advance as it can safely use.
 
Last edited:

ian s

Junior Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2019
Posts
9
Reaction score
16
Location
Oxford nc
First Name
Ian
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
6.2l
Sounds good for a 6.2 it runs pretty smoothly now and I’m fairly sure it’s on the j code setting so I’ll give it a conservative bump. Also slightly unrelated question but has anyone here played with crank case venting. Banks says route it into the intake for negative pressure and emissions but is this the best thing to do? I can’t help but wonder if venting to the atmosphere would be sufficient and keep the intake cleaner than blowing all that crap through the turbo.
 

Blue Ox

Turning Diesel Fuel Into Fun
Joined
Mar 27, 2018
Posts
4,831
Reaction score
10,631
Location
LI-NY
First Name
Derek
Truck Year
MCMLXXXV
Truck Model
K20HD
Engine Size
6.2L
You could do it either way, but on my ATS kit it went in the intake before the turbo. Most every turbodiesel is set up that way from the factory. I can only think of a couple of exceptions offhand. Crankcase gasses shouldn't cause any issues. If they do, something else is wrong. And of all the turbos I've rebuilt I can't ever remember one failing due to crankcase vapors.
 

ian s

Junior Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2019
Posts
9
Reaction score
16
Location
Oxford nc
First Name
Ian
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
6.2l
I just replaced the CDR valve recently due to mysterious onset of oil consumption so ill trust its ok to plum it into my pre turbo intake tube. I do have the large cast iron box with the PVC fitting banks says to install but I plan to fab up my own intake off the turbo for a little more air flow and diesel pizzazz.
 

Rusty Nail

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2015
Posts
9,734
Reaction score
9,522
Location
the other side of the internet
First Name
Rusty
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
C20
Engine Size
350sbc
:werd07:
Crankcase gasses shouldn't cause any issues. If they do, something else is wrong.

Agreed.

Were it me, I would choose very wisely the sources of information. I stand apart from EGR block off - types.

I know little to nothing about diesel hence the :popcorn: figure it may be a good show?
U wanna start jacking with the timing?
Cool!
I want to watch!
Pix or GTFO junior.
LoL
 

ian s

Junior Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2019
Posts
9
Reaction score
16
Location
Oxford nc
First Name
Ian
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
6.2l
Egr has long been disconnected but she retains the old c code manifold. For the moment I’m removing that going j code and turning the fuel pump a slight but I took the intake off and she’s pretty greasy in here so I’m glad I replaced that valve when I had the chance now I get to inspect my valves for damage. I will be posting more photos as I go if you like. Thankfully my location permits me to forgo inspections of any kind.

You must be registered for see images attach
 

Blue Ox

Turning Diesel Fuel Into Fun
Joined
Mar 27, 2018
Posts
4,831
Reaction score
10,631
Location
LI-NY
First Name
Derek
Truck Year
MCMLXXXV
Truck Model
K20HD
Engine Size
6.2L
Keep in mind, the C and J injection pumps have different calibrations, so that may have an effect on how much advance they can have.
 

ian s

Junior Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2019
Posts
9
Reaction score
16
Location
Oxford nc
First Name
Ian
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
6.2l
Tore some things apart and decided I didn’t want to do this again so I have stopped for now and begun pulling the righthand exhaust manifold and piping from the engine to install my banks kit. I’ll be posting pictures and if I have questions asking them soon, as of right now I’m in the painful process of trying to get the manifold bolts to clear the frame and making a wrench to turn the engine over for fuel pump tuning.
 

ABINIDI

Junior Member
Joined
Mar 9, 2018
Posts
17
Reaction score
16
Location
Peoria Az
First Name
Michael
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
c30 3+3
Engine Size
6.2L diesel Banks Turbo
Let me know if you need reference pics or whatnot on the Banks install... i have one on mine ive had to remove/repair a few times.
 

ian s

Junior Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2019
Posts
9
Reaction score
16
Location
Oxford nc
First Name
Ian
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
6.2l
As of right now im fighting a stripped nut on the manifold its the last one left and the angel between it and the frame makes for a very tight fit. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Here is a picture with a crappy arrow for reference.
You must be registered for see images attach
 

ian s

Junior Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2019
Posts
9
Reaction score
16
Location
Oxford nc
First Name
Ian
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
6.2l
Update on the turbo install, Didn’t realize banks used a larger egt probe than today’s standard and it came as a nasty surprise to me just before I installed the manifold. The manifold is now at a machine shop getting a weld on adapter and I decided to also have the turbo gone through by a professional while I’m at it. Aside from that everything else has been bent and tuned. I adjusted the screw on my fuel pump but decided I’ll leave the timing to someone with a tool after I get the truck put back together. After I am through with this install I will be posting photos of everything that has been done including some custom exhaust tip ideas for those who like large systems for their Detroit’s.
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
41,847
Posts
903,383
Members
33,362
Latest member
Dhatch84
Top