I have a 85 trans am it will not pass emisions I try to time it and it runs like bad if I get it to 6 degres pops and putters. I time it bye ear and it runs pretty good can go 100 miles an hour pretty fast. at idle it does not run smooth. I do get a check engine light somtimes but it goes out if I romp on the gas. I am ready to jus blow it up with a gallon of gas poured on the front seat.

 

What codes do you have for the Check Engine light? I had that same symptom on my bird and my EGR valve was not working properly. What part of the emissions are you failing? You really should get a timing light, even a cheap one will work. Timing by ear is not exactly the best way. I tried that one time and could not get the engine to run right either. When you set your timing, don't forget to disconnect the ECM memory wire, it will be either by the battery (carb cars) or by the right side firewall (tpi cars, maybe tbi). Set your base timing to 6 degrees and reconnect that connector. Car should run better. I had to replace my carberator due to a crack in the bottom and still failed smog because of NOx. I bumped the timing to 4 degrees After TDC and if finally did pass. After that, I readjusted it back to where it was running right. But give the readings and and find out what codes are giving you the check engine light. Use a paper clip to connect the A and B pins in the Data Link Connector (where they would hook up a scanner). This way we could probably help you better.

 

The car is 305 tpi. I have a timing light I did disconnect the ECM wire (even broke the clip) new plug wires, plugs, distributer cap, coil, condenser. Timed to 6 degress it sputters and clanks. Timed bye ear it is about 60 degrees before top dead center. I am guilty of not knowing how to get the check engine codes.

 

you're also guilty of not setting the timing properly. Set it properly and see if your problems go away.

 

I set the timing to 6 degrees btc the car does not get out of the driveway without thinking it is going to blow up