Hello everyone,

greetings from across the pond.

I've been doing a load of work on my 88 Camaro LB9, distributor, injectors, valve stem seals. I've got it all back together and it started first time. Now I want to set the timing. The sticker under the bonnet specifies 6 deg BTC. There's also column for AUTO-TRANS (DR) and MAN-TRANS (N). I have the auto box, does this mean I should set the timing while the engine idles with 'D' selected, wheels blocked, someone standing on the brakes ?

Thanks

 

No, simply run it Park or Neutral.

Loosen the distributor clamp, disconnect the EST connector and then start the car and set the timing to 6 deg advanced. Shut the engine down, tighten the distributor clamp and plug the EST back in. And that's it.

Disconnecting the EST will likely cause the ECM to log a trouble code. So you can disconnect the negative terminal from the battery to remove power from the ECM and it'll reset and erase the code. Alternatively you could access the ECM itself and unplug it to do the same thing.

 

Hi Everyone,

I have a 91 Trans Am - 305 - TPI. I need to set/check timing but I'm having issues finding the EST connector. I checked around the airbox but didn't spot anything. Any thoughts on where it might be?

 

 

Thank you! I believe I found it, but mine is not as close to the firewall as it appears yours is. I'm attaching a pic. I put arrows to the one I believe it is and x'd out one that is not it, correct?

 

That’s it !

 

I just encountered perhaps another problem. Should I be able to make out the #'s on the timing mark?

 

You can clean off the timing pointer with steel wool or a brush.

 

I'll give that a shot, but mine almost appears to be rusted which is a bit surprising.

 

I use chalk, or model paint and a brush to mark mine so I can see it.


One word of warning. The CHECK ENGINE light WILL come on when you have the EST wire disconnected. This is perfectly normal. It will go off after you shut the engine down, and reconnect the wire.