Setting mech IP by hand?

[cutlas]

My truck has 260,000Km on it and has never been apart. I am replacing injectors, glow plugs, rebuilding the turbo, and adding a mech boost controller. After this I will be adding some boost and fuel but was wondering if I should add a little timming as well. I have read Roblins description "Bump it up until your neighbors powerstroke runs off and hides in fright and then back it off a tad". What change in sound am I listening for?

[DmaxMaverick]

The sound she referrenced is the "Diesel rattle", or the knock/ping they do. The normal knock, not the other.

If you haven't changed the timing set with those miles, I wouldn't suggest much, if any, timing advance as suggested. It may need some advance to offset the timing chain stretch, but not more. You can adjust the timing for the pump, but the valve train will still be lagging.

Also, make a note of the pump rotation direction. It is opposite the crank/cam, but same as the fan if you have serpentine. Opposite the fan if you have V-belts.

[cutlas]

When are these engines due for a new timing chain?

[DmaxMaverick]

When are these engines due for a new timing chain?
260,000km (actually before that)

It varies. The chain slack should be measured, but after 150-200K miles, they're usually due. Diesels are generally less tollerant to chain slack than gassers. That's why double rollers or gear drives are usually OEM.

[trbankii]

Looking through the Helm manual, it notes a Kent Moore tool #J-33042 - timing fixture. But looking at the instructions it just seems to make the timing mark on the front cover? So it is a one-use tool? Why didn't GM just put the mark on the cover to begin with?