Hi - I have a 1985 Camaro Z28 with a 305 CI LG4 engine. I put the car on the road last month after it had not been run properly for around 8 years. Anyway it seemed to be using a lot of fuel. I decided to check to the static timing as I had never checked it before as the car would run so I could move it about. There was no timing tab on the front, so I purchased a Mr Gasket tab and installed it. I found the line on the front of the crank. With the electronic advance disconnect the timing line was at the 12 o' clock position, which is about 30 degrees BTDC.
I adjusted the timing to 6 degrees as per the book and the engine would only just run. I reconnected the advance and the engine ran but it was really lazy when I tried to rev the motor and when I drove it there was no power and the brakes had no vacuum.
Any ideas???

 

1. The timing does not "drift" appreciably, or otherwise require periodic maintenance. It's not like the old days, with points, where the timing changed as the rubbing block wore down.

2. If it ran OK before, and it runs terrible now, then put it back where it was, and leave it alone. Regardless of what "number" the light told you about.

3. Your timing tab is almost certainly still right where the factory left it, unless someone has changed out the timing cover (not impossible of course). It's right about 12:00. AFAIK there are NO aftermarket timing tabs that accomodate the position that the mark has been scribed on the crank damper for the last 25 years or so. Take that off and throw it away, because it's not right for your engine. Look down between the water pump and the timing cover, straight down from above; you'll probably see it sitting there. If the timing cover has been replaced, then you'll just have to "set the timing" to where the engine runs its best without pinging. Which is almost certainly advanced somewhat from the factory "spec".

4. If you find the mark, then follow the correct setting procedure, lock it down, and throw away the wrench; because it will stay right where you left it for the remainder of the vehicle's life (or at least, until the next time somebody disturbs it).