just curious if someone could give me dummies guide to how to set timing on a speed density car? want to make sure i'm doing it right.

 

unplug ESC connector, hook up timing light, loosen dist hold down bolt, adjust timing, reconnect ESC connector

 

don't you have to disconnect the battery too?

what about the timing light. don't you set the dial and try to get the tab to line up at zero.....what about those steps?

 

no don't disconnect the battery, the car needs to be running to set the timing.

I'm assuming that you have a dial back timing limit. So while the engine is running, aim the timing limit at the timing tab on the timing cover. then turn the dial on the back of the timing light until the timing mark on the balencer lines up with the 0* mark on the timing tab. Now look at the dial. Whatever the dial is at, is your current timing.

Now say you want to set your timing to 16* BTDC. turn the dial to 16*. then aim the timing light at the timing tab, and turn the distributor until the 0* mark on the balencer lines up with your 0* mark on the timing tab.

pretty easy.

 

edit: scottland, you beat me too it and I think your description is bette cause I've never used a 'dialback timing light', so ill just remove mine.

 

sounds easy enough, try getting to the bolt thats hold down the distributor, i gave up

i need to make a tool or something.

 

really, it's that difficult with the tpi?

with my miniram it's really easy.....they are alot different pieces though.

hmm.

 

Get a distributer wrench. Sears makes them, but I went and they wern't in stock, autobarn ended up having them $6 for 2 of them, lousy quality but how often do you use them. 9/16th is the size.

 

Do not loosen the dizzy until after you have started the car.

And do not loosen it up a whole bunch, just loosen it enough as to where firm pressure is required to turn it.

Do not shutt the car down before tightening it back up, once you get it timed to your satisfaction tighten back up fully before shutting the motor off.

Do not waste your time with a dizzy wrench, just get the proper crows foot and put it on the end of a long 3/8" drive extension and do the job with a rachet.

With these tips and the above info you are all set, nothing more to know.

 

Check the timing again after you tightend it down. Mine moved on me while tightening.

 

what i meant about disconnecting the battery is i was told you need to do so to reset the computer after you set the timing....any truth to this?

as far as the tightening yes i use a crows foot style setup as well and it works great.

 

also, it seems the timing goes up after i connect everything start the car and check it again....would this be evident of the programming in the ecm?

 

No

Yes

However your base timing should match what your chip is programmed for, if the chip says the base is 6* then you should set the dizyy to 6*. Once the motor fires the chip adds all the timing you need. At idle you with the ECM in control of timing you should see somewhere in the range of 18*-24*.

 

yeah it's not that high....

so i disconnect the wire, set the timing like described above....should i tighten down the distributor before or after i shut the car off (would it matter so long as it's held in place)?

once the distributor is tighten down and the wire is connected back i can then start the car and the timing should be set correct?


so i've been doing it right then, except for disconnecting the battery which isn't needed?

well my tuner told me that the base he set was at 4*...seems rather wrong and the car won't start that way. i have it starting as low as 12* but it still has issues. idles fine but won't move on the road much, i assume this is to programming since it idles?

at 3,000 rpm its as high as 40* which again i assume is part of the programming so i need to really look at that.

 

Always turn the rachet with the motor running, makes it easy to remember.

Post or email your .bin, you out to have someone look over your spark tables.

 

thanks...yes i will as soon as i get it from the tuner or my reader comes from craig...which ever first.