I have an 88 iroc it is a 350 tpi car i just completed putting the new engine in the car runs, but I cant set the timing right, with the electronic advance unplugged the car will not start and if i unplug it when it is running it just stalls any ideas ???

 

Are you setting it with the EST wire unplugged?

 

what is the est wire ?

 

It controls the electronic spark atvance. Its usuallly a single brown wire on the passenger side of the engine compartment. Unplug it and then set your timing. Then plug it back in.

 

that is the wire that I am talking about, whenever I unplug it with the car running it stalls. If I unplug the est wire when the car is off and try 2 start the car cranks over but wont start, as soon as I plug the est wire in the car starts right up ????????????

 

Get it started and running, THEN disconnect the EST bypass. If the engine stalls, reconnect the EST, advance the distributor about 10°, then try it again. The base timing is just way off right now, so a little more advance should get you running enough to set it with the light.

 

I will give it a shot ,thanks

 

I actually just had this problem myself. I went ahead and unplugged the EST and had a friend crank the car over while I used the timing light to see where I was at (car wouldn't start). I was about 10* retarded. Needless to say I needed to bump it up a bit. My situation was just like yours, would run with the wire connected but not disconnected.

 

I did what you said and it worked thanks.