I cannot set my timing. if the EST is in bypass mode (wire disconnected) i cannot even get the car to start. With the EST active the car just keeps running rough and adjusting the timing. i have a new cap, rotor, good wires, new igniton module. Could it be my ECM, where can i get an ecm? What other kind of cars would have a 165 ecm in it if i were to go to the junk yard (never found a 86-89 TPI car in junk yard).

 

Any codes?


Pull your EST, and loosen your distrib, have someone crank the car while you twist the distrib trying to get it to start.

 

Yeah, what tpi said. If it runs that rough with the wire connected you might be so far off timing that it won't start with it disconnected.

~M~

 

wonder if the dampener has slipped and someone tried setting the timing afterwards.


Best bet, put 87 octane in it and set timing by ear if dampener has slipped the outer ring.

 

I have already tried all of this. I cannot get the car to start with the EST unpluged, even if someone is twisting the distributor. The only way i can get it to run is to set the timing by ear with the EST plugged in and then it runs very rough (so rough that if i put it in gear it will stall). I am thinking of replacing the ECM what does every one think? I think i should be able to time the car with the EST unpluged even with a faulty ECM.

Thanks
Jake

 

To install the HEI module, you had to unplug and replug the pickup coil harness.

Make sure that you didn't jam the connector on upside down on the module, thus reversing polarity of the coil.

 

Are you 180* out or offset by a few teeth?

Have you removed the dizzy recently?

What were you doing to the engine that you had to reset the timing?

 

I am sure the plugs are on correctly. I did remove the distributor, but it was just to make sure it it was in correctly, which it is, it is not even off a tooth or so. I recently installed a fuel pump and after that the car ran very rough. I tried to check the timing withe the EST in bypass and the car would not start. That is why i think there is a timing (spark) problem.