I am trying to set my timing on a 87 firebird with a 2.8. I disconnected the tan wire on the firewall. According to the decal under the hood it should be set at 10 btdc. After the 10 on the decal it has two letters DR. It looks like this 10(DR). What does that mean?

 

From guessing I think in drive it should be 10 over on the balancer? idk just a guess.

 

Im not sure but just set the base timing to 10 degrees.

I would think that DR is degrees though

 

Pretty much what he said, set base timing to 10* below top dead center with EST unplugged, then plug back in the EST and you're done. As for DR, I would also guess that it stands for degrees, but regardless of what the DR stands for, that is the timing spec/procedure.

 

Set timing on automatic transmission with car in drive. Block whells for safety.

 

Warm the car up, turn the car off. Disconnect the EST by pass connector should be upper left above the blower housing. Loosen distributor hold down bolt (ratchet, extension, 15mm, and a universal is what I do) then start car. Point timing light at the timing tab your looking for 10 degrees BTDC (I usually go for 11-12 because when I tighten it moves slightly to ten). Then tighten the bolt, reconnect connector.

 

should the transmission be in drive when you set the timing?

 

It is suppose to be in Drive, wheels blocked and e-brake on.

 

I've never done it this way. Am I wrong for this...because this is the first time I've heard it that way. I've heard of the idle relearn being done with the tires chucked in drive but not for setting base timing.

I just have it warmed up, turn it off, disconnect the esc wire, start it up in park, do what I need to to set it where I want it, then shut the car off, pull the ecm fuse, reconnect the esc wire, put the ecm fuse back in, then fire her her up and let it idle relearn.

 

yeah i never do it with the car in gear, though if ur car idles high it may help accuracy just a tad if its in gear to bring the rpms down but i wouldnt do it without osmone in the car on the brakes

edit btw

setting the timing in gear came from the days of carbed cars with vacum advance/mechanical advance distributors, setting the timing in gear prevented the mechanical advance from advancing the timing while trying to set it

 

My 89 Camaro 5 speed came with no distributor assembly so I need to do this from scratch. Can someone please give me advice on how to set it?!? I've already bought an oem distributor but need help on setting timing.

 

This maybe why my car has no power.

 

good way to get top dead center is to take off cyclinder one plug wire and spark plug. place your finger over the whole (do not put it in there) when the motor is cranked pressure should pop your finger off / on the compression side no the exhaust, do it a couple times and check the timing on the balancer. should put it around there.