Help! Trying to set timing on 87.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
Help! Trying to set timing on 87.
I have an 87 which was pinging at WOT, so I checked the timing and found that the previous owner has it set to 10 degrees which would probably explain the pinging. My question is this-how do I move the distributor? I took it all apart, when I got to the metal piece that moves the rotor, I found there is really no way to loosen the bolt in the middle. How do I get this thing loose? Thanks alot.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,722
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From: Big D Tx
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Help! Trying to set timing on 87. (1BadC4)
no you dont take it apart. there is a 9/16 bolt underneath the distributor that screws into the intake manifold that holds down the distributor with a clamp. loosen that bolt a little and rotate the whole distributor cap, wires, and all with your hand.
[Modified by 88L98, 12:03 PM 9/19/2001]
[Modified by 88L98, 12:03 PM 9/19/2001]
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 0
From: Big D Tx
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Help! Trying to set timing on 87. (88L98)
btw, try filling up with 93 octane. it might make the pinging go away. also, your gonna need some special kinda wrench to get to the distributor hold down bolt. its in an akward location. i use a crowsfoot wrench. its a 9/16 wrench that has a hole in it for a 3/8 ratchet. that with a 12 inch extention and a ratchet makes easy work of it. they make special distributor wrenches but i have found the crow's foot works much better.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,381
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
Also..... there is a single brown wire on the driver's side that you need to disconnect before playing with the timing, and the reconnect after you are done. If I remember right, this is what the ECM uses to adjust the timing electronically.
6* is stock.
8* I've been told is optimal.
6* is stock.
8* I've been told is optimal.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 5,192
Likes: 1
From: Airport Cruise-in 1 Veteran Airport Cruise-in 2 Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: (scorp508)
6* is stock.
8* I've been told is optimal.
-John
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 5,192
Likes: 1
From: Airport Cruise-in 1 Veteran Airport Cruise-in 2 Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: (scorp508)
:cool: No biggie scorp. I was hoping you were on to something b/c I hav'nt tried to advance the timing yet. I'm racking my brain trying to figure out why I cant hit 13's yet.
no the stock programming assumes it is at 6*, so putting it at 8* would give you 2 degrees advance across the curve. Hmmm interesting, I think I'll give it a try, thanks guys!
:cheers:
[Modified by John Robatto, 1:11 PM 9/19/2001]
no the stock programming assumes it is at 6*, so putting it at 8* would give you 2 degrees advance across the curve. Hmmm interesting, I think I'll give it a try, thanks guys!
:cheers:
[Modified by John Robatto, 1:11 PM 9/19/2001]
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
Re: Help! Trying to set timing on 87. (Vetterin)
Thanks for the help. I found the bolt. One problem though. My timing light just fried something. I had it clipped to the battery like its supposed to be, but when I started the engine, the clip popped off and something a little to the left of the battery started smoking. I got the fire extinguisher ready but nothing caught. Now the engine rotates but wont turn over. Any idea what my dumb butt killed? :rolleyes:
