Timing Question...
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 20
From: Back in San Diego Ca
Timing Question...
I am checking the timing on my 85, but ran into a snag. Where should the line on the harmonic balancer line up on the timing mark, at what number or notch? The sticker on the radiator shroud says 6, but according to the chiltons manual there is a negative and a positive 6.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Timing Question... (OrangeC4)
Looking at the front of the engine, -6 is on the right and +4,+8,+12 to the left.
To verify check the current timing, move the dist slightly CCW (to advance timing) and see which direction the mark moves.
To verify check the current timing, move the dist slightly CCW (to advance timing) and see which direction the mark moves.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,381
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
Re: Timing Question... (scorp508)
I know this isn't perfect; I can't remember what it looks like, but same theory. You want hte timing mark to line up resting against the top side of the big "tooth".
Don't forget to unplug the brown lead wire to the distributor when you set the timing.
Don't forget to unplug the brown lead wire to the distributor when you set the timing.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 20
From: Back in San Diego Ca
Re: Timing Question... (scorp508)
Some how my distributer bolt came loose, i am not sure when. It threw my timing way off, the line on the balancer was off the timing marks towards the other the passenger side of the vehicle. I had to rotate it clockwise just to get it back on the timing marks and to the appropriate place, but I might have to take out the distributer because the part of the distributer cap where the wires come out is almost resting on the back side of the plenum. I was going to buy an MSD distributer any how, so I might as well do it soon. If any of you that read this are from central texas, don't go to a place called Lone Star Automotive. They are the last people that worked on that area of my car and I think that they might have left it loose and also put the distributer in wrong.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 2
From: Latham NY
Re: Timing Question... (OrangeC4)
Your distributor cap sounds like it was put back on 90 deg off. Loosen the screws, lift the cap and turn it counterclockwise 90 deg (a quarter turn, turn the cap not the distributor base). You then should move the plug wires 2 positions clockwise.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Re: Timing Question... (OrangeC4)
Some how my distributer bolt came loose, i am not sure when. It threw my timing way off, the line on the balancer was off the timing marks towards the other the passenger side of the vehicle. I had to rotate it clockwise just to get it back on the timing marks and to the appropriate place, but I might have to take out the distributer because the part of the distributer cap where the wires come out is almost resting on the back side of the plenum. I was going to buy an MSD distributer any how, so I might as well do it soon. If any of you that read this are from central texas, don't go to a place called Lone Star Automotive. They are the last people that worked on that area of my car and I think that they might have left it loose and also put the distributer in wrong.
You can try walking the plug wires around one position which will allow you to turn the distributor to it's correct orientation without having to pull it out. If you pull it out you'll have to use a long screwdriver to turn the oil pump rod.
Jake