I'm interested weather I can or should adjust the timing by slighty rotating the pump to see if the hoe makes any more power? Backhoe belongs to my Gandfather but my Dad thinks it should have more power even considering the vintage. Hoe usually just pushes snow around but I'm anticipating putting a lot of hours in this spring-summer. Thanks for looking
Yes, you can adjust timing by rotating injection pump, but I would be careful doing that, diesel engines are not like their gasoline counterparts. If anything, you could check that the timing is where it's supposed to be. On a diesel engine, advancing timing will increase power, but advance too far, and you'll melt the piston rings into the pistons. I've seen it happen before on a Cat 3208 that a fellow wanted to have more power and advanced the timing. Had to beat the pistons out of it with a 4 lb hammer!
I have changed the timing on the DB pump, to see if starting or general laziness of the engine is improved. Mark the pump body and timing cover where they meet, to form a reference line. I use a starter wrench for the nut in behind. You won't be able to move the pump much without loosening the injector lines mounted to the pump, and it's better if you do, to relieve the stress, if your change is permanent. Pull the top of the pump away from the engine to advance timing. Moving it 1/8"around the flange circumference would be too much in my opinion. Beware of any knocking in the engine. I have only moved the Bosch VE pump while the engine is running, as described by some on the VW diesel forum, quite a learning experience, but it's not recommended. Keep in mind the 580B is not a responsive machine, not a fault of the engine, and there are many cumulative problems that cause laziness including low internal pump pressure(lack of timing advance). Phil
If that little gremlin in you tells you to turn the pump timing, please dont turn it more than the thickness of a nickel......if more you may need many nickels to put it back.
Is there a way to check timing? Ive been told that the B's where always hard to start atleast when cold.
Phil is the 580B guru, he'll be able to tell you how to check timing.
the pump was changed two years ago but no one timed it that I know of.
To set injection pump timing on your engine: Determine the normal engine rotation, this should be clockwise as viewed standing in front, looking back, but check. Locate and remove the plug located just behind and above the starter, on the flywheel housing(torque tube). This should give you a view of the flywheel and a timing pointer. Turn the engine by hand slowly, in normal rotation direction, until the timing pointer aligns with the mark on the flywheel, TDC, or DC. You might be able to use a screwdriver through the plug hole to slowly turn the engine. If you go past this mark, you must turn the engine the other direction for a few inches on the flywheel, then return to the mark slowly to take up the slack in the gear train. At this point the engine is at top dead center on #1 cylinder on either the firing stoke or the 'dead' stroke. To avoid having to remove the valve cover to determine if you are on the right stroke, check your pump timing marks first. Turn the fuel shut-off valve off. Remove the small 'timing window' on your injection pump. It's located just behind the i.d. decal and has 2 small screws holding it on. Place a drain pan under the pump to catch the diesel fuel. Check for two small alignment 'lines' in the window, if you see them both, rotate the pump body to align them if needed. Loosen the fuel injection lines on the pump body, if needed, just enough to allow rotating the pump and retighten immediately so fuel does not drain from the lines. If only one mark can be seen, rotate the engine one full turn to the TDC mark again. Check again for both marks, aligning if needed. Failing to see both marks, it's probably best to remove the muffler, hood, air breather, and valve cover(have a new gasket handy). Check to see if both pushrods on # 1 cylinder(front cyl.) are loose, if so you are the firing stroke(both valves fully closed). If not rotate the engine one full turn. Rotate the pump back and forth, it's possible the timing is so far off that the second mark on the pump rotating assembly cannot be viewed without turning the pump body a significant amount. With timing set, replace the window cover and open the fuel tank valve. Remove the 90 deg fitting on top of the pump, fuel should come out after a few minutes, if not fill the pump through this opening with clean fuel. There is a vent plug on some DB pumps near the top rear of the pump body, that can be used instead. Phil
Will do.
ever set your valves try that first
There is a chance that the throttle cable or linkage is not giving you a true wide open throttle when you have the pedal as far as it will go to the floor. I have seen instances where something as simple as hard packed dirt under the pedal prevented a full throttle. I have also seen a throttle cable that slipped in the anchor clamp closest to the pump and resulted in a short stroke, it prevented the pump shaft from going to the wide open position.
Valve adjustment is probably the most overlooked item on the preventative maintenance list. Good point about the throttle Tinkerer, and now that you mention cables, I'm not sure what affect on engine performance the pump shut-off lever would have, if it were not pushed all the way forward, in the engine run position. Phil
I already checked the fuel shut off, its good. I agree a good idea to check valves but not gonna happen for a few weeks. I'm planning on checking pump timing today but I'm also working on the hitachi in my avatar and time gets away from me. The location of both machines is fairly remote hence the once a week deal. thanks guys.
Thank you Phil. What a difference, amazing how much quieter the engine is. The pump timing was atleast 5/16" advanced past timing mark, WOW! Not only does the engine sound smooth it also started easier and has a bunch more power. Also no more smoke cloud coming from exhaust and crank breather, I'm surprised its held together for so long the way it was. Anyways thanks everyone for your imput we made another happy old backhoe!