Setting the timing on an 88 MAf 7165 TPI car.

After the car is hot


with the key in the off position disconnect the EST connector.
I shine the light on the timing pointer ... i get 25 degrees what is going on ... I shut off the car plug in the EST and I get 15' ....


This must be simple Does someone know what the procedure for setting the timing is ..


Thanks I feel like fool asking this simple question

 

That is the way I do it. The only thing is to make sure you have the induction connector connected to the number one plug. 25 seems pretty high to me. When you connect the EST, the timing should change since the computer takes over the timing. This would be equivalent to the vacuum line in older cars.

 

If I understand correctly you get 25* with the EST connector unplugged and 15* with it plugged in? I think it's possible your base timing is at 25* and the computer is pulling out timing with it plugged in because of knock. I could be wrong though since I don't think the ECM will pull out timing until a certain RPM is reached.

 

yep, you gotta unplug the EST connection, start car, and move distributor around until the timing mark with the timing light (on number 1 cylinder!) reads 6 degrees before TDC at idle. Then shut off car and re-plug EST. If you did that and its reading 25 degrees, you are waaaaay advanced, and the ecm is going nuts trying to manuever the timing. How are you determining that you have 25 degrees? does the balancer have a timing tape? if so, is it placed correctly?

factory timing spec is 6 degrees, no need to make it anything else, since you can alter your whole timing map in the chip.

 

I know this is a real newbie question, but I can't even come close to seeing the timing mark on the balacer - it's almost completely hidden by the water pump, power steering pump etc, where do you look to see the mark - should I make a mark on the crank pulley? If so where would I reference it to?

 

Timing from the aldl information into the datamaster program.

Should be able to time the engine this way correct?


I am not sure the timing mark is correct .