I have an 85 TA (305 TPI) that I need to set the timing on and I have a question. Is there supposed to be a timing mark on the engine someplace or do I have to take my rotor cap back off? We can't find a mark so I'm wondering if there even is one. Anybody know?

 

yes the timing tab is on your harmonic balancer. If you stand on the driver side and look you should see it, its looks like a lil metal clip with triangles on it and it has numbers (if you can read them)

Do you know how to set the timing on a tpi? set engine on tdc on the compression (not exhaust) stroke, unplug the timing connector (by the firewall in the engine harness, i'm pretty sure its a brown wire) then i hope u know how to use a timing gun, turn the distrib until you get it at 6 degrees base timing, tighten the distrib bolt back up n re-check the timing, take it for a drive =]

 

I'll be happy if it moves forward when I tell it to....right now it coughs, laughs at me and says, "What the h*ll do you want me to do with gas???" But thank you, that will help a ton.

 

Uh, what does setting the engine at tdc on the compression stroke have to do with setting the timing.

Ben

 

isn't it if you set it at the exhaust release the distrib will be 180 btdc?? I have heard it both on this site n others, i just take the valve covers off to be sure i'm on tdc compression.

No screw dirvers, rags in the spark plug hole.

 

You seem to be describing installing the distributor, while she's just trying to adjust the timing, I would guess.

 

oh i thought that was part of the thread too, if the distrib is already installed what I said has no importance. i'm a stupid ******* hillbilly.

Sorry

 

yeah, everything is already installed, I just needed to check the timing because when you press the gas pedel, the car tries to die. Once you're on it a little it starts to take the gas, and it idles beautifly. But...I just checked the timing tonight and it's perfect, and therefore not the problem. So....what could it be? Throttle position? Any ideas?