Ok, I just put ina new 305 TPI engine in my car and have tried to set the timeing but it is too hard to see the notched thing(don't know the technical term). I painted the "keyway" on the H.D. white, i can see that and it is around where it should be. Anyway...we can see the notch thing so we set the dist as far advanced as we could untill it pinged...then back and get it only to ping under an extream load, like accelerating uphill around a curve. My father said that they used to set the race cars timing this way back when he was a mechanic, 60s 70s. Now it has worked great, perfect Throotle response and all. The only time it has "sounded like a disel" was under extream load. It has worked fine so far...just lettn you guys know.

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1987 Black 305 TPI 5spd IROC, G92, 9-bolt 3.45, Lowered, Cat-back, Air Foil, Sub Frames, Huge sways.

AIM: IROC 5spd
http://www.geocities.com/chevy5spdiroc/87Roc.htm

 

Notched thingy = timing tab
Not a real good idea to set the timing on a computer controlled vehicle the old fashioned way. First of all, be sure you unplug the tan on the passenger side so the computer won't be advancing the timing while you are trying to set it. You really need to get in there and see the tab. Remember that your computer has a knock sensor. If it detects detonation it will automatically retard the timing so you won't damage your engine. So if the system is functioning properly it's just about impossible to have the engine detonate for more than a second or two before the computer corrects for it. But when the computer has to retard the timing you are losing a lot of performance. So really the best thing to do is get the timing set correctly.

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91 Z28
Come see The Vicious...

 

but ahh you see i did by pass the computer ehen i set the timing and unlike my father siad(sorry needed to clarify this), it only knocks when i let the cluck out too fast with out giving it gas.....sorry...but i think the timing it set to perfection on this car but that will take some more experimentation....i will fill you in later on how it goes.

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1987 Black 305 TPI 5spd IROC, G92, 9-bolt 3.45, Lowered, Cat-back, Air Foil, Sub Frames, Huge sways.

AIM: IROC 5spd
http://www.geocities.com/chevy5spdiroc/87Roc.htm

 

If it pings at all, under load or not, you have too much timing. It's hurting power, not helping--and it's bad on things. Back the timing off a little bit more. You will gain a little power and your engine will thank you. Setting the timing on a race car is different than a stock car. The advance curve on you engine comes in really fast. You get lots of advance even at lower rpms under load--that can be a problem if the initial timing is too much.


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350 with stealth intake, holley carb, 470 lift cam. 700r4 with .5 boost valve, vette servo, tci lock-up kit, B&M megashifter. Richmond 3.73 gears, powertrax locker, timkin bearings, synthetic lube. Custom 3 inch single into 2 2.5 pipes. 1 1/2 drop springs, 1 5/16 solid front sway bar, 1 inch rear bar, custom subframe connectors, custom LCA relocation brackets. Kobel ground FX, currant red metallic paint. Lots of other stuff...
82camaro