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1988 firebird formula 5.0 tbi timing issue

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Old 10-11-2015, 08:19 AM
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1988 firebird formula 5.0 tbi timing issue

So I had to replace the distributor in it. And upon putting the new distributor in I hand cranked the engine over to cylinder 1 on the compression stroke. Timed it with what the engine liked, advanced it quite a lot until it is most responsive. It runs very nice.But the downside. Now it idle surges till it dies out. And upon hard acceleration. Makes a rattling noise now. Don't lf it's spark knock. I've never heard spark knock before.Never had any running issues prior. So I don't have a ton of experience with Timing. Distributors were on the way out as I went to college. So would anyone have any idea. Is this a form of spark knock. Because I am running 87 octane. I would hate to turn the timing down because it's running so go good and responsive. And it's advanced quite past the timing spec. So if anyone has any information. It would help greatly.
Old 10-11-2015, 08:45 AM
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Re: 1988 firebird formula 5.0 tbi timing issue

Did you mark the direction the button was pointing when you removed the dizzy?
Old 10-11-2015, 08:49 AM
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Re: 1988 firebird formula 5.0 tbi timing issue

Originally Posted by Johnny Gun
Did you mark the direction the button was pointing when you removed the dizzy?
Your talking about the position of the rotor? Yes I couldn't get it to line up where the old rotor was at. It was a 1/4 position off where the rotor originally was with the new distrubutor. That's why I positioned it at cylinder number 1 on the compression stroke. Because I knew the timing would be off.
Old 10-11-2015, 08:50 AM
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Re: 1988 firebird formula 5.0 tbi timing issue

Originally Posted by Randomtask2
Your talking about the position of the rotor? Yes I couldn't get it to line up where the old rotor was at. It was a 1/4 position off where the rotor originally was with the new distrubutor. That's why I positioned it at cylinder number 1 on the compression stroke. Because I knew the timing would be off.
But I don't believe the timing is off with how good it's running. That's what's so confusing. I could have the timing too advanced. I'm not sure.
Old 10-11-2015, 02:21 PM
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Re: 1988 firebird formula 5.0 tbi timing issue

Did you disconnect the EST wire before setting your timing, clear the code, and then restart?
Old 10-11-2015, 02:46 PM
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Re: 1988 firebird formula 5.0 tbi timing issue

Originally Posted by antares57
Did you disconnect the EST wire before setting your timing, clear the code, and then restart?
No I didn't. I had both connectors plugged back in the back of the distrubutor. Any info for me. On how to proceed from here.
Old 10-11-2015, 05:58 PM
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Re: 1988 firebird formula 5.0 tbi timing issue

Look at response #5 on this thread.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tbi/...lp-timing.html
Old 10-11-2015, 08:07 PM
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Re: 1988 firebird formula 5.0 tbi timing issue

Originally Posted by antares57
Look at response #5 on this thread.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tbi/...lp-timing.html
The last car I timed was a olds rocket 350. I'm out of the loop. Well hopefully because I didn't do that Initially. It will work just fine. Thank you for real. Learn from my mistakes. Lol I will let you know how it goes.
Old 10-16-2015, 04:06 PM
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Re: 1988 firebird formula 5.0 tbi timing issue

Originally Posted by antares57
Look at response #5 on this thread.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tbi/...lp-timing.html
Your not going to belive the resolution to the situation. My egr valve that's brand new stopped working. Once I unplugged it and blocked it off the idle no longer spikes. And I followed his instruction. And it worked just fine. She's running tip top supreme. Thank you for your reccomendation to look at the previous thread.
Old 10-16-2015, 07:13 PM
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Re: 1988 firebird formula 5.0 tbi timing issue

Good to hear it, enjoy!
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