If you look stright down between the water pump and engine block you will see the timing mark.
the pointer has its on mounting spot on the front of the block when you bolt it on the pointer will be set
get a timing light clip the power lines to the batt. spark plug end to the #1 plug wire as close to the end as you can. find the pointer, should be above the crank pulley, disconnect the white/brown wire along side the passenger fender. start the engine and point the light at the pointer. watch for the mark to line up witht the pointer.
10 degrees btdc
0 degrees btdc
8 degrees.
ground the diagnostic connector under the dash , set the timing , then unplug connector
With the engine warmed up and at idle, disconnect the vacuum line to the vacuum advance.Hook up your timing light to number one cylinder. Slightly loosen the distributor. The timing should be about 4 degrees. Move the distributor until the pointer is at 4 degrees. Tighten the distributor and reinstall the vacuum hose.
you dont its all controlled int he computer tune there is ZERO mechanical adjustment
There are no timing settings to set in a 1979 Grand Prix. The 3.4 L and the 3.1L and the 3.8 L that Pontiac used in its lineups all had computer controlled timing.
set cylender one at top dead senter then point thr rotor at cylender one that will set the distributer then turn the cap to finish the timing that always works for me
as long as you have the timing marks set right on the timing chain gears the only other thing it could be is your distriburetor is set wrong.
unplug the wire that says tach on the dist cap that's the one that reads rpm do this while car is off if this wire is unplugged it will not tell the computer to advance or retart the timing then set your timing to 8 degrees tighten it up and plug it in and that's how you set the timing