Setting timing?

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May 23, 2006 | 10:40 PM

SteveJG

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 162

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From: Albany New York

Setting timing?

Hi guys, I need to set the timing on my 86 vette. The Hynes manual said refer to the sticker on the side of your radiator for instructions. Well guess what, It doesnt have a sticker! SO i need to know what degrees to set it at, and all of that. I'm actully not going to do it, but the guy who is going to teach me needs that information. He said each car might be different, depending on what they are equipped with.

Mine is a 1986 L-98 with automatic tranny.

May 23, 2006 | 10:54 PM

jimmers

Safety Car

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 4,723

Likes: 11

From: Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada

You need to unplug the timing est wire (brown with a white stripe) and set the timing to 6 degress.

May 23, 2006 | 11:00 PM

Ibuyvettes

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 3,235

Likes: 1

From: Sterling Va

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmers

You need to unplug the timing est wire (brown with a white stripe) and set the timing to 6 degress.

Thats BTDC 6 degrees and that wire is near the windshield wiper motor/master cylinder.

May 24, 2006 | 12:15 AM

Red Tornado

Team Owner

Joined: Sep 2002

Posts: 22,209

Likes: 12

From: OBAMA IS HITLER

there's a single hold-down bolt at the distributor. after disconnecting the EST (electronic spark timing) wire (you must do this to remove the additional timing thats provided by the chip in the ECM) and then starting the car, loosen the bolt and turn the distributor counterclockwise (to advance), or clockwise (to retard) the timing. you want to set it at 6* BTDC, the factory setting. you could play a little and turn it back 2* advanced from stock (8* BTDC) and see how it feels on your butt.

after you tighten the distributor bolt and verify your timing setting, be sure to disconnect the negative battery cable for a good 30 seconds or so, to clear the code "42" that sets when the EST was disconnected.

have fun. the whole operation takes maybe 5 mins. then drink a beer and be happy

May 24, 2006 | 10:05 AM

Muffin

Race Director

Joined: Jun 1999

Posts: 14,924

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From: Merritt Ils Fl

What HotRod said except it isn't necessary to disconnect the battery. You have a connector near the booster that,when disconnected, will clear all codes without removing power from the ECM.

May 24, 2006 | 10:16 AM

rick lambert

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 6,130

Likes: 2

From: seattle WA

Never done this..but some of the guys here say if it's an automatic, put it in drive while timing it, of course set the EB. My 87 seems to like 8BTDC better than 6.

May 24, 2006 | 10:27 AM

RRT vette

Le Mans Master

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 8,753

Likes: 9

From: Louisiana

I set my timing in D. As described above.

May 24, 2006 | 10:49 AM

zoro

Pro

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 747

Likes: 0

From: Calgary '85 Z51 coupe

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muffin

What HotRod said except it isn't necessary to disconnect the battery. You have a connector near the booster that,when disconnected, will clear all codes without removing power from the ECM.

Any more details on which connector does this? I am tired of disconnecting the battery to clear codes when I set when I am trying to fix something.