i have an 87 LG4 firebird... i just finished reading "my generation camaro" chevyb high performance... they stated they saw performance gains by raising the initial.base timming to 8degrees... mine is stock 0 degrees and i would like to do this to see if it helps my performance, how do i do this?

 

The procedure for setting the timing is in you haynes manual on page 1-27 and 1-28. My advice though is to leave it alone and buy some catback exaust headers and a cold air intake. Then if you want a little more hp work with your timing.

 

I believe your car is old enough you can set your base timing by starting your engine, jumping the ALDL terminal (A to B), which will put it in open loop and therefore the computer will not bump timing. You then get your timing light and adjust it as normal to your desired mark on the tab. Be sure to check your underhood stickers, as my car for example, has to have this done in while in Drive. Yours may too as you have the auto tranny. Also make sure the engine is at operating temp. My apologies if I am insulting your intelligence, but make sure to recheck that your timing hasn't moved after you tighten down that distributor bolt. It happened to me once or twice, LOL! Good luck, I have also heard these cars like advanced timing.

 

You don't have to do ANYTHING with the ALDL terminal to change the timing.

Loosen the distributor bolt. Turn the dist housing slightly (CCW to advance, CW to retard). Re-tighten the bolt.

Is it better now? Yes/no...

Yes: do it again.

No: put it back, maybe even turn it a little farther the opposite way.

Is it better now? Yes/no....

Yes: do it again.

No: put it back, maybe even turn it a little farther the opposite way.

Repeat until the answer is "no" whenever you turn it either direction.

 

My L98 has the EST system controlled by the computer, and to set base timing it MUST be by-passed by disconnecting the ESC by-pass connector or jumping the ALDL terminal which more or less accomplishes the same thing, but not on all models as they approached the end of the 3rd generation model runs. Yeah, you can BS it by listening to it, but the OP was asking how to set it precisely to 8 degrees BTDC base. Without a light and disabling the computer advance, there is no other way to do it, or at least KNOW it is at 8 degrees. I was assuming the OP was going to use a light, that's all.

 

lol thanks guys... and yes im going to use a light = ]
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o yeah... didnt buy a haynes manual yet lol prolly a good idea but i never get around to spending the cash for it... someone should copy it into a pdf file and post it here

 

http://www.autozone.com/az/cds/en_us...rInfoPages.htm
Here ya go brother use the $15 for gas.

 

Good luck loosening the distributor bolt. I've tried three different size swivel heads, no luck, and even a wrench made specifically for a distributor bolt, and that stripped out. I gave up after that .

 

thanks alot cooter that kicks @$$ u just bought me about 100miles

 

Have you settled on 8 degrees? How's the new timing treating ya?