This is a standard, all stock, '89 TA with 350 TPI engine with dual cat-converters and everything stock - no mods at all.
It's got original 117,000 miles on it. All mine. Original and only owner and driver.

What should the normal (by the book) Timing be set for my car?

My TA mechanic guy said after (all work done below) he set it advanced about 4 degrees. Is this good or bad ?
I think he was trying also to make it so it goes more like a "speed-racer" & "go faster". It runs actually really great now once it gets started and going... but starting up it takes a little more to turn over THAN before my Intake Mani gasket blew out.

I just had my Intake Manifold gasket replaced (see other posts)...
and my TA mechanic guy also :
replaced a couple cracking vacuum hoses, pcv valves & hoses,
fuel filter, plus other gaskets in the runners/plenum (i'm not sure of names). Also 2 gallons of new coolant, new oil & filter change were all just done. He set the timing as part of putting it all back together.


Slight problem: On starting up, especially cold on first time,
now, having slighlty hard time turning over and little longer time cranking engine to get engine to fire up.

It was starting up, turning over like in 2-3 seconds once I turned key to ignite and usually very first time... after I ALWAYS hear the fuel pump run for about 4 seconds prior. Sometimes it would take a 2nd key turn at most and then FIRE right up.

But now - it takes more like 5-6 seconds of holding key and its straining to turn over on 1st try and then usually 2nd time it fires up.

I worry a little its gonna wear out the Starter faster than should or some worse problem? Like timing is off??

What should the Timing be set for ya think without running too rich or whatever ???
(I also don't want to blowing lots of $$$$ on gas and foul up my plugs running rich)
Also, I never run this car like a racer - but more like an 'ole lady.

I just want it to start up good-better (like it did before I.manifold gasket job)

Thanks

 

6 degrees

 

Can you explain little more - Is that 6 before or after ?
I'm novice/rookie/knownothin bout Timing...

Is that 6 degrees BTDC (Before TDC) or After ?
Is there an After ?

I'm not even sure what the terminology is ?

When "they" say advance the timing by x - does that
mean x Before TDC ?

I think I know TDC stands for Top Dead Center, right?

Any more explanation would help -Thank

 

The timing should be set to 6 degrees BTDC (before) with the EST bypass wires disconnected (the tan/black wire)..

Typically you talk about before TDC, since you don't ever want the plug firing after TDC (when the piston is on its way down).