Static timing on HEI dist
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
From: Forty Fort PA
Static timing on HEI dist
Hi. Can someone explain how to detect the "trigger" point on an HEI dist. I am wanting to set the static timing before I start the engine for the first time. I am aiming at 10*. With no points, is there somewhere I can connect the ohmmeter to see the trigger popint? I don't see any change on any of the three wires to the plug on the coil. How about the green lead on the module in the dist?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,683
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
An interesting question. I'm not sure where you would find the trigger signal. Having said this, you don't need to be that accurate on start up. Simply use the rotor as an indicator. Have it pointing at #1 cylinder with that piston at TDC. If you do this correctly (not 180 degrees off), the engine shoul start and then you can use a timng light to get it right.
Lars has a paper on corvettefaq that covers this very well.
Lars has a paper on corvettefaq that covers this very well.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,342
Likes: 7
From: Connecticut
Originally Posted by langg
Hi. Can someone explain how to detect the "trigger" point on an HEI dist.
Hook up the timing light, turn the key to "ON" and rotate the Dist back and forth watching the lens on the light for the flash
After a few times of rotating the Dist you will see you can get it just about exactly where you want it.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
From: Forty Fort PA
Originally Posted by Bob Onit
Get your timing mark lined up to where you want your advande to be
Hook up the timing light, turn the key to "ON" and rotate the Dist back and forth watching the lens on the light for the flash
After a few times of rotating the Dist you will see you can get it just about exactly where you want it.
Hook up the timing light, turn the key to "ON" and rotate the Dist back and forth watching the lens on the light for the flash
After a few times of rotating the Dist you will see you can get it just about exactly where you want it.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 4
From: Somers CT
Originally Posted by CA-Legal-Vette
Having said this, you don't need to be that accurate on start up. Simply use the rotor as an indicator. Have it pointing at #1 cylinder with that piston at TDC.
I just went thru this with mine on startup, it works fine mine started in less than a revolution. Have your timing light hooked up before you start it and the dist hold down bolt just snug on the dist so you can turn it. As soon as the engine starts you can fine tune the timing. Don't get too scientific with this at start up, it's not that critical as long as you're ready to adjust it after it starts.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 2
From: Dayton Oh
Originally Posted by TopGunn
I just went thru this with mine on startup, it works fine mine started in less than a revolution. Have your timing light hooked up before you start it and the dist hold down bolt just snug on the dist so you can turn it. As soon as the engine starts you can fine tune the timing. Don't get too scientific with this at start up, it's not that critical as long as you're ready to adjust it after it starts. GM Goodwrench buddie of mine helped out when I did my initial startup and I was surprised how close the resulting timing was.
