So I have a 1989 Camaro Iroc-z with the 305 TPI. just did the intake gaskets & cleaned and reassembled the throttle body, have recently changed the distributor (complete replacement.), IAC motor changed, yayayaya. anyways so trying to set the timing no matter what i do, cant seem to get the idle in PARK less that 1000 seems to sit around 1100 most of the time. and trying to set the time but 6* and 1100 poor performance hesitation etc.

i have checked the TPS & set it (cold test)
checked for vacuum leaks around the intake area (meaning intake & assorted hoses), found nothing.

i tell you this car should come with a ring.. UNTIL DEATH DO US PART.

 

are you disconnecting the wire at the firewall when you set the timing ?

 

.... also did you allow the IAC to reset itself buy jumping the aldl for the 30 sec with the key on.... theres a tech article on how to set it.... its been awhile.

 

so yes i unplugged the wire near the distributor & grounded out i believe its B on the aldl connector and reset the idle & reset the IAC. but for now i have played with the idle and it would seem that about 1000 maybe a but less is not to bad but trying to find out what is causing a intermitent stalling problem the distributor was changed with pick-up & module, Ran way smoother but not yet the problem, checked the TPS working, & Check and changed the coil with one out of stock still have this issue to today i have unplugged the MAF and will try driving it around to find this issue of the stalling lol. then again try and get this timing down

 

i believe on most tpi cars you need to unplug the single tan wire with a black stripe located on the passenger side firewall to set the timing , NOT by the distributor . it should tell you this on the sticker under your hood if it is still there ..

 

Have you traced and inspected all of your vacuum lines and hoses yet? There are some pretty long runs of rubber hose-especially the ones that run to the vacuum "ball" under the left front inner fender, and to the charcoal cannister. Replace any hoses that look cracked or brittle-or just play it safe and replace them all.

 

okay so yes i have realized that i have mis-read mitchell, lol i read quickly tan & black wire(S). So i quickly unplugged the tan & black wires near the distributor near the drivers side. So will get around to re-doing the timing maybe tomorrow or the next day. but stilll have this damn stalling issue which ihad before i did all the work to the car.

 

When you set the static timing, just make sure you know the increments on the saw tooth plate, set the engine at 8* ,with the DST wire disconnected.
Adjust the idle RPM (maybe 650 to 700 RPM) with the turn screw for the throttle plate. Setting the idle RPM a bit higher than the instructions will allow you to get minimal help from the IAC. My IAC count is about 20 to 30 at idle.

If this is not working out for you, I would bet that you have a vacuum leak.

 

all is good in the time timing area it is at 7* adv right now idle is around 1000in park with every thing plugged in

 

try and set it @10 adv and due your idle while its in drive. You want 600-700 with an automatic

 

just thought id jump in here as ive got a 305 TPI, ive just checked my timing today and its set at just over 4 degrees, would that be enough to make it run a bit crappy ?

My car runs ok but not like it used too, its quite hesitant and slugish when its cold and at low revs, but it never used to be like that until last year when i fitted headers and had an exhaust made, so i replaced the TPS as that had gone bad which did help, and also the ignition module which cured a stalling problem.

heres a stupid question though, how in the HELL do you got the distributor hold down bolt loose, i can get a socket on, but then theres no room for the ratchet, and i tried getting a spanner in too with no luck, i even bent it in the vice which got it in there and on the bolt but then theres no room to turn it.

 

They make special wrenches that are for that. I am sure you can pick one up at a parts store.

 

just take a wrench and put it in a vice and bend the end a little . been using 1 for years .