DiabloWS6

iTrader: (8)

i have a 1986 trans-am and swapped it with a 1989 350 tpi i dont know the base timing to set it at i know you have to remove cylinder 1 spark plug rotate the engine till you feel air coming out of the spark plug socket and while this is happening the disrtibuter has to matched with the cap on cylinder 1 after that happens you can get the timing light and set it to what the base timing is if this is correct let me know i know this could be the hard way or old way to do this but its easy for me

eseibel67

6* BTDC. Disconnect the EST connector before adjustment.

DiabloWS6

iTrader: (8)

the est is the passenger side by the a/c right

89RsPower!

Are you installing the dist or is this already an assembled running engine that you simply want to set proper base timing? Either way turn the engine over by hand until the timing mark on your balancer is lined up with 0 on your timing tab, with dist cap removed the rotor should be pointing at either the # 1 or #6 firing position assuming the dist is installed, if it isn't install it so that the rotor is pointing at #1. (If you are unsure if your timing marks are accurate you can remove the #1 plug and feel for compression building, once you do align the marks so that they are lined up at 0, another way would be to remove the driver side valve cover and watch the rockers to verify both valves are closed as you line the marks up to 0). If your dist is already in and the engine runs and you are simply setting your base timing connect your timing light, disconnect EST bypass connector, start engine, turn dist until the desired base timing is set, tighten your dist holddown bolt, reconnect est bypass connector, disconnect battery or clear code via scan tool as you will set a check engine light when running the engine with the EST bypass connector unplugged

89RsPower!

It is a brown wire with a black stripe located near the heater box, follow it and you will find a single connector.

DiabloWS6

iTrader: (8)

@89RsPower nice way to put it i have removed the old distributer with another one from another engine i sold its just siting in place i have to set it like you have stated by removing the cap so it its pointing at #1 and 0 on the timing mark

Ironman4life

Hey i think this is where my question should be type in i just replaced the old tired 305 h.o in my 84 trans-am with a updated 350 with a few thing done to it now i know this the casting number on the right hand side is 14093638 i think the engine came in tans-am iroc's vans and some trucks but the guy i brought it off off did a few thing to it before install it in my car i removed the old points style distributor and coil from it yes it was a tbi or tpi engine before he swap a older style intake to make it carb and after he did what ever he did to it now i install it in my car and install my HEI dristributor with accel cap , rotor, HEI super coil ,wires and new plugs and oil i got it fired up and some one said to set the timing to 4*bdtc but it had some nasty timing knock so i set it to 0*btdc and it running stong lots of power but i still here a little timing knock so should i set it to 6* btdc would that be the proper degree of timing most appreciated for the help my third gen brothers

aliceempire

iTrader: (14)

That is really hard to read and decipher. Please try to use complete sentences and punctuation. To your issue, the car was always carb'd as an 84 Trans Am. Both the LG4 and L69 305's were carb'd. What carb is on it now is likely not factory, especially if the distributor you pulled out was points and condenser. Sounds like it was cobbled together, which isn't really a good thing. As far as timing goes, don't trust the timing marks. An old or improperly balancer marked will give you improper readings. Not that it means much. The factory setting and where this engine will be best are likely 2 different things. If this engine is in good working order (which I have some doubts) then move the timing 1 or 2 degrees with the vacuum advance disconnected, ignoring what the number of the mark says. Take for a test drive. Repeat till you find where it runs best. If the balancer shows some unusual number then that balancer probably spun and you'll want to replace it.


Mind you, a poorly built engine or untuned carb will make this a waste of time. I hope it all works out for you. Good Luck!