tbi timing
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Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 87
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From: michigan
Car: 92 rs
Engine: 305tbi
Transmission: 4l60e
tbi timing
i have a 92 rs tbi not to many mods 180 stat, open element, headers,polished tbi, all the symptoms point to my timing and as some of you may have found out timing on this car isnt very easy i found the timming mark and tried to get it right but there is something about a magnetic timing probe? does anyone know what that is? and does anyone the recommend timing specs? thanks alot
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,664
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From: Plano IL
Car: 92 Firebird,74 Nova
Engine: Stock tbi,Vortec 350
Transmission: T56, th350
Axle/Gears: 3.73 LSD, 2.73 open
You did put the timing light clamp on the #1 plug right? Dont quote me but if you have the stock chip still, at idel it should be at 0 if I recall. Also what syptoms do you have, check plug/wires and cap/rotor?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 87
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From: michigan
Car: 92 rs
Engine: 305tbi
Transmission: 4l60e
new plugs wires cap and rotor the plugs are carbon fouling really badly so its getting to much fuel but i have no clue why yea it is the stock ecm but have you heard anything about that magnectic probe socket
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Posts: 1,843
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From: Chicago, IL
Car: 91 Camaro RS Convertible
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 5-Speed
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Are you unplugging the EST wire when setting the timing (i think its the EST). Make sure you are doing that you can check the tech article on this site to see exactly what that is if you don't know. It was simple to set when I did it.
mine was to be reset at 0 degrees. the only magnetic timing sensor i can think of would be the crank position sensor. magnetic pulse generator working off the basis of self induction. or is it mutual, nope pretty sure it's self induction...at any rate that doesnt matter. but it's the only sensor i can think of that could fit loosely under magnetic timing probe category.
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From: Mesa, AZ
Car: A Camaro
Engine: Weak
Transmission: Weaker
In regards to the magnetic timing probe that you're talking about; Timing lights work off of a magnetic pickup that's clamped around the #1 cylinder's spark plug wire. The magnetic field that's created by the change in current in the wire induces a current in the magnetic pickup which triggers the timing light to fire. That's most likely what the person you heard that from was talking about. There's also magnetic crank triggers, but our cars didn't come stock with them, MSD makes kits to convert to these.
Tony
Tony
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Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Tucson, AZ, USA
Car: '99 Trans Am, '86 Camaro
Engine: LS1, Scrap
Transmission: T56, T5
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Stock ZT, 3.42 Open
The circular magnetic probe hole on the timing indicator next to the harmonic balancer is to be ignored.. used with special equipment not normally available (Wow, I'm horrified more people don't understand what you're talking about)
What you want to use is an inductive pickup stroboscopic timing light vs the marks on the timing indicator vs. the notch in your balancer. These cars are VERY simple to time, as with all plain-old-distributor cars.. clamp timing light around number one plug, hook up light's power leads to battery, disconnect tan EST wire near firewall, let car idle, point timing light at harmonic balancer, pull trigger, see little notch vs. timing indicator. If it's not at 6* BTDC, loosen distributor clamp and rotate slowly, checking timing as you go. When it hits 6* BTDC, tighten clamp, recheck timing, turn car off, disconnect timing light, reconnect tan EST wire, drive.
Our cars have no crankshaft position sensor (Nate,
... I thought it was pretty obvious these aren't DIS cars...)
EDIT: oh, and if you have trouble seeing the timing mark on the balancer with the timing light, use some brush-on white-out and paint the notch white.. makes things easier.
What you want to use is an inductive pickup stroboscopic timing light vs the marks on the timing indicator vs. the notch in your balancer. These cars are VERY simple to time, as with all plain-old-distributor cars.. clamp timing light around number one plug, hook up light's power leads to battery, disconnect tan EST wire near firewall, let car idle, point timing light at harmonic balancer, pull trigger, see little notch vs. timing indicator. If it's not at 6* BTDC, loosen distributor clamp and rotate slowly, checking timing as you go. When it hits 6* BTDC, tighten clamp, recheck timing, turn car off, disconnect timing light, reconnect tan EST wire, drive.
Our cars have no crankshaft position sensor (Nate,
... I thought it was pretty obvious these aren't DIS cars...)EDIT: oh, and if you have trouble seeing the timing mark on the balancer with the timing light, use some brush-on white-out and paint the notch white.. makes things easier.
Last edited by TechSmurf; Nov 14, 2003 at 03:08 AM.
yes i know that our cars do not have a crank sensor, forgot to include that into my statement.....but it sounds to me as if he's done timing before, didnt think i needed to explain that. but since your the tech smurf i'm sure you know all anyways:hail:
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 87
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From: michigan
Car: 92 rs
Engine: 305tbi
Transmission: 4l60e
thanks for all the help but i have just one more question ... would the timing cause my car to get excessive fuel and back fire? thanks alot
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