Engine Timing Steps

[Dank Xploidz]

What are the correct steps to setting my ignition timing? I'm not useing a timing light, I stuck a straw down cylinder #1 and put it a Top Dead Center. Between disconnecting the timing connecter(under the glovebox), reseting the battery, and rotating the cap, what order do i do these steps in. Thanks if more information is needed let me know. BTW, truck info is below.

[Nytemare]

What are the correct steps to setting my ignition timing? I'm not useing a timing light, I stuck a straw down cylinder #1 and put it a Top Dead Center. Between disconnecting the timing connecter(under the glovebox), reseting the battery, and rotating the cap, what order do i do these steps in. Thanks if more information is needed let me know. BTW, truck info is below.

you cannot do it without a timing light. You set it to TDC than use a light to set the base timing with the bypass disconnected. If you don't have a light you cannot do it.

 

But the steps are

set engine to TDC, start the vehicle and move the distributor until you get a nice steady idle, allow the engine to run and warm up. than shut it down and disconnect the timing bypass, than you hook up the light and set it to whats called for in the manual...should be 8* BTDC for a 305. If everything is running well and you have a nice new ignition you can probably get away with 10-12* BTDC

[Dank Xploidz]

I thought i could just put it in top dead center, take the cap off, mark which way the rotor is facing, and line the number 1 plug up with that mark, doesn't my computer control my advancing/retarding? Thanks

[kylee]

Actually that year of truck i think is set to 0 with the bypass unplugged, you can check the catalyst sticker on the fan shroud and it will tell you for sure...But you have to use a light to get it on the money...

[Dank Xploidz]

It is 0, i know for sure, can you elaborate on the steps just a little more please. Thanks

[Nytemare]

It is 0, i know for sure, can you elaborate on the steps just a little more please. Thanks

Not really much to elaborate on...you set it to TDC and from there you hit it with a timing light and align the mark on the balancer with the specified number on the pointer.

 

Pointer looks like vvvvV with the middle of the big V being TDC, or 0*

and like was said, the shroud will have the setting on there...I am really thinking its 8* BTDC on a 95 and older 305 though...

 

Your ECM controls the advance, not the base timing. 96 and newer controls timing fully...set it to TDC and that's it.

[kylee]

8 degrees is right on the earlier carburated 305 with the vacuum advance unhooked....

[Dank Xploidz]

Ill have to look it up in the manual in the morning. Do i set it to top dead center before i undo the timing connector?

[kylee]

disconnect it and then set it with the light to 0

[Dank Xploidz]

Then when do I adjust it to 8 btdc.

[Nytemare]

Then when do I adjust it to 8 btdc.

Check on your shroud...it will tell you what your timing has to be set to

 

It will be X* BTDC @ xxxrpm

and X* BTDC @2200 rpm

X= 0 to 16*

you set the first one with the bypass unplugged...if its zero than set it to Zero with a light.

[minibike132]

Then when do I adjust it to 8 btdc.

 

 

You don't, the base timing spec on your engine is 0 @idle.

 

That's 0@ idle not 0 @ engine off. I think you have a little misunderstanding about how the ignition system works and I'm not going to post up a full tutorial. I'll give you the quick run down for your vehicle.

 

Static (engine off) timing needs to be set at 0, meaning if you get the engine to TDC on the compression stroke of #1 that the rotor should match up with the #1 tower on the distributor. If it doesn't then make it do that. Once that is complete the engine needs to be warmed up to operating temp, timing connector disconnected and timing light installed then set to 0 degrees @ idle. Reason being is that you will never achieve 0 by eyeballing it and even if you could it would change while running. If it was newer you could set it close and the computer would take over but your vehicle needs to be manually set to 0 while running with the timing control unplugged to get it right.

[Dank Xploidz]

Ok thanks, I'm sorry about my dumbquestions, I'm just confused. So I set it at 0 tdc with it unpluged at idle(with the light), and when i adjust it to X at 2200 rpms i still leave the connector unpluged or plug it back in after i put in a 0 tdc? Thanks for all the inputs so far.

[minibike132]

Ok thanks, I'm sorry about my dumbquestions, I'm just confused. So I set it at 0 tdc with it unpluged at idle(with the light), and when i adjust it to X at 2200 rpms i still leave the connector unpluged or plug it back in after i put in a 0 tdc? Thanks for all the inputs so far.

 

 

My info does not show a spec for 2200 rpms. If your emissions sticker shows 2 specs, one for idle and one for off idle, then yes it would be set with the connector unplugged.

 

I don't think you will find 2 specs on your label but look at it and follow it. My data and my (sometimes failing) memory only has the one spec @ idle to set on this engine in that year.

[Dank Xploidz]

Mine is also one, it just tells me to let it warm up, disconnect the timming connector, and attach a timing light a put it a 0 degrees btc, then it says to clear pcm diagnostic trouble code. What does it mean by that? Unhook the battery?