Should I be jumping the connectors in the aldl or should I be disconecting the conector on the wiring harness at the rear of the engine bay on the passenger side to set my timing? I have tried both and they gave me different readings.

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1988 Camaro RS
2.8L five speed
Gutted airbox
accel cap and rotor, crane cams 8.5mm wire
TB bypass
stop laughing you gotta start somewhere.
http:/www.angelfire.com/retro/briansnaughtylittlepage/

 

Are you using a timing light? The directions for setting the timing are on the hood. You must disconnect the Electronic Spark Timing connector to properly set the timing.

 

Yep, dissconect that wire. Then set it to about 10-12*, works great!

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85 2.8L Sport Coupe 5-speed.
Mods: Hpertech chip and powerstat, MSD 6A-L, Crane fireball coil, Accel Cap and Rotor, Dynomax hi-flow cat and catback system with a dynomax magnum race bullet muffler on the i-pipe, K&N filterchargers, Gutted Air Boxes, 8mm Wires, Eibach Sportlines and Tokiko springs/shocks setup, Global west sub frames, Suspension techniqs front and rear sway bars, and good ole 88 IROC wheels with Kumo Ecstas on em!
"It's not the ricers, it's those damn V8's!"

Wins: 2000 V6 Accord, 69 302 Mustang, 2000 Auto VR6 Jetta, 89 Toyota MR2, 90 Civic Si, 76 350 Camaro.

 

I adjust by ear.
Loosen the distributor.
Twist one way or the other.
listen to smothness of the engine.
When engine is/sounds real smooth, back off (opposite direction) about a hair.
Then tighten down.
Go for drive. LISTEN TO THE ENGINE as you drive.
I've done this so often.
Last time, was the MPFI head swap of my S-10 Blazer.
Before that was the 3.4 swap in my Firebird.
When it was timing checked for the CA smog test, it was dead on perfect. (actually 9.5, instead of 10!).
TRY IT!
You will have the light to test the other way, anyway. See how well you do it by ear! You cannot hurt the car, nor the computer.

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Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

 

Holy $hit! my timing was advanced way too far. Last time I set my timing I did like it said to in the chiltons, using the ALDL. Maybe that's why I failed emissions so badly.

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1988 Camaro RS
2.8L five speed
Gutted airbox
accel cap and rotor, crane cams 8.5mm wire
TB bypass
stop laughing you gotta start somewhere.
http://www.angelfire.com/retro/briansnaughtylittlepage/

 

How's the car feel with the correct timing?


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

I feel a slight loss in power, but it idles better.