fenderman93

So like the title says my engine seems to run at its best around 30-40 degrees BTDC, when in reality the optimal ignition timing should be around 10 BTDC. Now I would leave the problem alone, but it bothers me (because its wrong and weird) and also occasionally at a complete stop the engine stalls. In hopes of fixing this problem I replaced the entire distributor unit, My timing chain, cam sprocket and chain guide (which was independently verified that I correctly placed the timing marks, that #1 piston was @ TDC on compression stroke and the rotor was pointing to #1 cylinder). I even tried a new MAF sensor. My father seems to think that by process of elimination the problem could either be: My CPU, Knock sensor or a severe vacuum leak which eludes my discovery. Anyway, mighty Camaro gurus please help me!???

*Fyi my timing light works well..so that is not the problem either!
** 1986 2.8 V6

zs&tas

I may be wrong completely, but it seems you are seeing advanced timing not retarded as it is firing early, I'm guna take a stab at this and say you have not disconnected the EST wire ? Before setting the base timing ?

fenderman93

Yea sorry , I guess i got the definitions of advanced and retarded backwards. Yes, I have tried disconnecting the bypass wire even though my manual says to only do that on V8 engines, it makes a small difference but it is not the problem as the timing still needs to be way advanced for my engine to even run with the wire disconnected. I'm going to edit and repost this.

fenderman93

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/v6/7...ml#post6146585

^^There the link if you were interested in continuing to help

Six_Shooter

iTrader: (2)

The bypass wire needs to be disconnected to set timing regardless of number of cylinders. I think you might be misunderstanding what is written.

Anything before TDC is advanced, anything after TDC is retarded.

Now, what cylinder are you using for #1? The front driver side or the front passenger side?

Have you verified that the timing mark on the damper lines up with the #1 cylinder at TDC?

fenderman93

Thanks for your reply! Ok your right maybe i miss read it, I'll go dig out my manual and double check about the bypass wire. Although, either way I tried adjusting the ignition timing with it both disconnected and connected and it didn't really make a difference though it did help very slightly.

Right, i made a mistake and got the two confused. I opened a separate and edited thread and posted the link to it in this thread.

I used the passenger side for number #1, that's the firing order given in the manual. Yes to the other question as well.

fenderman93

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...ml#post6146650

Here is the link, i'm sorry the last one didn't post for some reason