I was setting the base timing on my car and I noticed that even with the EST bypass connector unplugged, the timing advances by itself when the engine is revved to about 1500-2000rpm. I don't exactly how much it advances because the mark goes right off the scale. I'm guessing it advances to somewhere around 20 degrees.

Is this normal? I thought the whole point of unplugging the EST connector was to make sure the ECM didn't advance or retard timing while making adjustments . The distributor is not controlled by vacuum either. I wonder why it's doing this?

 

Yes... that is normal... The reason for disconnectoing the connector is so that the computers signals dont reach the esc. The esc in the distributer gets its signals from the pickup coil and will still advance the timing w/o this connected... Just time the engine at idle after it has warmed up.

 

88, mine does the same thing. I posted about it before and apparently the advance is built into the ignition module or something. The EST bypass is just to set idle advance.
Good luck,
Jeff

 

I appreciate the prompt responses. On a related note, could somebody PLEASE tell me where the distributor hold-down bolt is located. Either my car doesn't have one, or I can't find it and I'm just plain retarded. It's a real pain to drive around with the timing retarded to 4 degrees AFTER TDC. The distributor works itself loose in only a few days and I have to reset the timing every few days

 

If youre standing in front of the car and looking down at the distributor, the hold down will be at about the 8 o'clock position.

 

 

Its a bit of a pain to reach... I would recommend buying a dist. wrench. I just cut an old rusty box end in half and used that. The clearences are pretty tight in there.