hi i was just wondering how u guys set your timing on yours cars i have a 91 305 tpi and noticed that the timing with the wire unplugged is at 4* after!! and should be around 6* before tdc right? i just bought a 9/16 distributor wrench i cant even fit that in there so how am i supposed to set the timing now? is there stuff i need to remove first to make way or make this easier? also my battery died somehow yesterday and even with a jump the car will only run for a couple seconds im guessing cause the timing is so far off, how do i fix this? and to advance timing is that clockwise or counter clockwise? any info would be great thanks.

 

These two links should help you out.

https://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/t...ngtiming.shtml

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...+set+my+timing

 

well a dead battery and timing arent exactly 2 related items, and especially if it wont stay running after a jump... id check out ur charging system for an alternator maybe after u get this timing thing fixed... 6 degrees retarded isnt bad enough for it not to run

 

well i found that if i relocated the piece screwed on under the coil with 2 plastic lines on it, that i could finally get a wrench on the bolt for the distributor but when i loosened the bolt it moved some now im not sure where the timing is at cause i cant get the car to start to check it, engine turns over just fine with a 50 amp quick start charger connected but wont start and stay running for longer that a few seconds and will totally die if i give it any gas. the volt gauge reads a little past the 8 mark maybe around 10 with the key in the on position and with the charger connected. so my question is does the timing being off (too advanced or retarded) have anything to do with making the car start and stay running or is this a charging system problem bad alt or battery? also this all started after i cut out the plastic area under the 2 air filters would this have any effect?

 

If your voltage is that low while the engine is trying to run, the sensors, ecm and fuel pump aren't getting enough juice to properly manage the engine. So check the voltage when you get it to crank and if low, fix that first.

If voltage is good when motor is running (12.5-13 or better), the ignition timing could be retarded enough to cause it to run poorly.

If the ignition timing is too advanced, it may cause a high amp load on your starter which could be challenging your electrical system. If the starter is getting good voltage but seems to lug, your timing could be too far advanced and multiple attempts at cranking could have drained your battery.

What I would do(after verifying a good battery charge): Bump your engine or turn it by hand to line up the timing mark on the balancer with the 0 degree mark. Then take off the dist cap and the rotor should be lined up with the number one terminal (pointing towards it or directly away from it). The number one terminal goes to the forward driver's side plug. This should get you close to zero and allow it to run well enough to set accurately.