I am trying to check and reset the timing on a 1996 6.5/ I am trying to get the TDC offset to a -1.94. I Just came back from a mechanic and he said that the TDC Offset was set to +3.5 and he was only able to lower it to +0.7 because he said that the pump was all the way pushed over. He said that the cam timing gear could have been set wrong??? Are there ony Tech II type scaners that can read the TDC offset? Is there any way that I can verify if the pump has been truly turned all the way over to its limits? I was talking wth Bill Heath and he mentioned that there have been a few occurances with the key shearing on the cam. Has anybody experienced this?

Is there any way that I can verify if the pump has been truly turned all the way over to its limits?Yeah, pop the hood, remove the plastic cover an look at the pump, if its advanced as far as it will go, then it will be easy to see that the pump is tilted to the driver's side, and the ESO will be almost hitting the Coolant hose. If this is the case, and your TDC offset is that far off, then you need to take the timing cover off. Check to make sure the Crank is timed to the cam is timed to the pump properly, them check the number cast on the pump drive gear with GM to make sure its the right one, I Think I heard the mechanical pumps use a different drive gear than the electronics and I've heard of similiar stories to yours with guys swapping a tronic pump for a mech one.

Just about ANY scantool with data display capabilities can show you TDC Offset value.

What is a ESO?

Electric Shutoff Solenoid, its a 3" tall steel cylinder on top/front of the pump with a wire coming out of the top, can't miss it.

Is the ESO the round cylider That sticks up around 2" from the pump? If so there is between 3/8"-1/2", Between it and the alumnium neck on the dual bypass thermostat holders.

That's the cylinder on the top of the pump that looks like a roll of quaters it kills fuel supply inside the pump when it isn't powered.

So it looks like I have plenty of space. Should I pick up a scanner that will read the 1996 TDC offset codes? Cost ? Type?

I wouldn't go out and buy one, your looking at 1000 and up for a used snap-on one. You need a scanner, not a wal-mart code reader.

Just call around and find a garage, tell them you just want to have your vehicle scanned and read some data. They'll probably charge you $50, but atleast you will know they whole story.

TD has found that a mt-2500 has to go to -5* tdc on display or more for -1.94 tdc offset actual.

Thats correct, using the Time Set function, not TDC Offset. The scanner will say what you want it 3.5*, to get -1.94 you have to get 3.5*+1.94*-.5*=~5*.

What is a MT-2500? Cost?

Thats the Snap-On scanner, cost varies, but they're not cheap.

Texas diesel Guy. The mechanis has a new snap on solus and it was not registering on the TDC offset. On the display it was only saying 0.00. I just looked at the electric fuel solenoid and there is at least 3/8" between the Coolont pipe. The pump still appears straight up and down. The mechanic went and borrowed a Tech 2 and he said that he could only get +.5 TDC offset with the Tech 2. So it sounds like something is wrong somewhere? Can I basically take it back to him and have him adjust the timing? I could not find any punch marks on the pump and cover to verify the factory timing marks are there supposed to be any there?

There are no timing marks from the factory, all timing reference is done electronically so there are no mechanical reference marks. Maybe he's not following hte proper offset relearn procedure? TO achieve -1.94, the pump will look a bit advanced to the driverside, for it to be showing +.5 the pump would have to be on the pass side or a problem inside the timing cover.

What is the proper offset procedure for a 1996? can I just have him use the Snap on and use the TDC function to 3.5 thereby setting the TDC offset to -1.94? I wish I really understood what was going on here!!!

The Time Set function pretty much is just a ballpark tool, lets you know how close you are. TDC Offset relearn procedure is different, during this relearn, the PCM will command the pump to 0 advance, compare Cam Reference Pulse signal inside the pump to Crank Reference Pulses and Determine the Offset between the two. A Tech2 can tell the PCM to do this, without any other scanner you have to...
Clear all codes, warm the engine to 170*F, Shut the engine off, turn key to on position, hold the acclerator pedal to the floor for 45 secs, release, turn key off for atlease 30 seconds then restart. You should hear the engine stumble briefly on restart, this tells you the PCM has successfully peformed Relearn procedure, now you can recheck your TDC Offset value.