ignition timing

[luxeryvic]

how do i set up the ignition timing on my

i changed the rotor and cap and wires , how do i set everything up correctly, i have to set the crank up at TDC but how do i set this with the timing, i forgot to mark the cap

also is there a best way to set up the timing for the piston postion? how many degrees ( on the guage on the timing chain cover) before of after TDC do ui set the timing to?

hope this makes sense, thanks

[MagicRat]

Is the distributor out of the engine, and you want to reinstall it??

If so, bump the engine over until the #1 cylinder is at TDC on the compression stroke. Use the crankshaft timing mark so it points directly at TDC.

Look at the engine firing order. Make sure the distributor cap has all the wires in the correct location and in the correct order.

Find the wire that goes to the #1 cylinder and mark its position at the cap on the distributor base itself. Then slide the distributor shaft in the the engine so the rotor points to that makr when fully seated.
Note when you slide the shaft in, the rotor will move approx 30 degrees as the shaft gear engages the camshaft gear, so some trial and error may be required to get it to seat in the correct place.

If the shaft will not fully seat in place, remove it and use a long flat blade screwdirver to rotate the oil pump shaft a bit to aid in installation.

Snug down the hold-down bolt then start the engine and set the initial timing with a timing light to factory spec (about 10 deg BTDC, I believe) at idle.

[luxeryvic]

how do i know what place on the distibutor cap to put the wires on, there is no mark on the new one

also, i do not have a timing light and the ones ive seen are about $100 is there any other places that have them cheaper or is there a way to do it with out one?

also how do i align (put back to gether properly the new rotor and distributor cap?

[MT-2500]

WHAT YEAR AND WHAT ENGINE?
Newer ones the timing is not adjustable.

As said to set no 1 plug wire on the cap.
Put engine at TDC compression stroke.
Set in dist and rotor will be set to fire no one plug wire/cylinder.
Then follow your firing order clockwiswe or counter clockwise as needed.

96 up V6-V8 GM with all flat top dist. caps.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/ga...hp?photo=51302

http://files.automotiveforums.com/ga...hp?photo=51302

[silicon212]

Did you pull the distributor?

If you did, MAKE SURE THE DISTRIBUTOR FLANGE IS FLUSH ON THE INTAKE. If it is not, and it's say 1/4" or so higher than the intake, your oil pump is not indexed and your engine will DIE A QUICK AND PAINFUL DEATH if you attempt to run it this way!

Once you have the distributor mounted and properly indexed (flange flush with intake), then follow MTs advice above per location of #1 spark tower. To add to his advice, it's TDC on the compression stroke on #1, the cylinder at the front of the block on the DRIVER side. Look at the timing mark on the harmonic damper (the wide thing behind the crank belt pulley), make sure it's at the zero scale on the timing tab over the timing cover - the center of the deepest "V" on the tab if you can't read the numbers on it - and whereever the rotor is pointing on the distributor is going to be the location of either #1 or #6. If you want to make sure it's #1, pull the #1 plug out (disable the ignition!), and have a helper crank the engine while you hold your finger over the #1 plug hole. If you feel compression just before the piston hits TDC (again, the timing mark against zero on the tab), this is the #1 firing sequence - if you don't feel compression, it's the #6 firing sequence.

Both #1 and #6 hit TDC at the same time, and are 180 degrees out, meaning that if #1 is on the firing stroke, #6 is on the intake stroke and vice versa.

[luxeryvic]

its an 86 chev 305 so when i put the distributor in it will automatically be aligned when i turn it over to TDC and the plug wires go around the distibutor clockwise, so after #1 it will be cylinder #2 ok thanks im getting it now

so do i still need a timing light, or is the timing not adjustable?

[silicon212]

You need a timing light.

[luxeryvic]

where can i get one cheap? the only ones ive seen are around $100

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by luxeryvic

its an 86 chev 305 so when i put the distributor in it will automatically be aligned when i turn it over to TDC and the plug wires go around the distibutor clockwise, so after #1 it will be cylinder #2 ok thanks im getting it now

so do i still need a timing light, or is the timing not adjustable?

There is 2 tdc .
Use
TDC compression stroke on no 1 cylinder first.
To find compression stroke rempve plug and hold finger over plug hole and crank engine.
When you feel it you got it.
Put the timing mark at tdc.


The firing order is 18436572 clockwise.
even cylinders on right bank
Odd cylinders on left bank drivers side.
No 1 on front of engine left bank.
no 2 cylunder on front of engine right bank.

Some parts places will rent or loan timing lights.

Good luck
MT