I baught a timing gun and checked my timing, it apears to be around 20 and my car needs to be on 10. I can figure out where the bolt-down is for the distributor, or am I even looking for the right thing here.

Anyone else that has an 89ish firebird, or I assume camaro is the same thats gotten their fingers down there or can maybe let me know if im even looking for the right way to adjust the timing.

Haynes isn't being of any help what-so-ever.

*checks the tech area*



Thanks,
Type

Did you disconnect the brown wire back by the blower motor before checking? That needs to be done or else timing will read advanced. The hold down bolt is tough to see but its down there--

MD, are you talking about the EST? My car is a 91 and the EST pigtail is on the back passenger side of the car, near the condenser..it's got a tan lead with a black stripe I think. Type, just unhook that connector and start the car...the car should start a little funny, might sound like it's about to stall at first..and an SES light should come on. Then your timing reading should be accurate... Without that unplugged, the computer tweaks the timing and throws your timing way off...mine read 18-20 with the EST connected.

Yes that's the one... The circular thing bolted to the firewall is the heater/blower motor

hmm..

Well, I disconneted the EST and checked the timing right this time. It's at about 9. I really hope this fixes some of the issues that I'm having. Mainly the backfires. If not can you guy suggest may be the problem with the backfires?


-Type

I'd try bumping it up to 12 with the est disconnected. Then reconnect the est and clear the code. That should help.

Is the mark steady? If not, I would look at having the timing chain done as an unsteady mark usually means a stretched chain.

Do you have any exhaust leaks? Get them fixed as they will cause backfiring and rough running.

Just some suggestions...

yeah, it apears to run it smoother now. It only back fires when its cold so Ill prolly have to wait till i leave the office to check if its still doing it. I noticed quite a change in the sound and the acceleration, hoping its fixed. I'll give an update once I get home tonight.


-Type

MD...so THAT'S what that big circular thing is! Lol, I never knew...

Might also be a sign of a weak ignition or fuel system, too...

Yeah, I would sooner assume the ignition before the fuel system, although bad fuel filters are fairly common... Even though it may run better, I doubt it's still running nearly up to par... The car basically shouldn't backfire at all. Mine runs like @$$ but it's never backfired on me except revving it up, on the fall-back. I wonder if firing weakly on a cylinder or two would cause a backfire...