Most of the time, the steps to take to set the timing are on the catalyst sticker under the hood. But first, you must get the vehicle into base timing (usually disconnect a wire from distributor). Remove distributor hold down bolt, hook up timing light to #1 spark plug wire, start engine, and align timing mark (0°) Once this is set, reconnect the wire you had to disconnect for base timing. Timing advance will automatically set itself. if it doesn't, you have a faulty timing advance mechanism on the distributor. You can check timing advance by pointing the timing light at scale (while hooked up to #1 spark plug wire) and rev the motor. Timing marks should move up the scale.
On many GM cars and trucks the wire that you disconnect is solid gray in color, it is in the wiring harness on the firewall, the wire has a black plug for separating when doing the timing.
You need to find someone that has an advance timing light. With it they can set the total advance at 35 degrees at 2,000 RPM. That will be your best performance setting.
2/15/08 I don't know when this was posted, but the steps are. 1. disconnect timing connector (which I cannot find). 2. connect timing light to no1 sparkplug. 3. with engine running at idle check for 0 degrees. 4. if not loosing distributor bolt and turn for 0 degrees tighten bolt. 5. reconnect timing connector.
There is no set timing for this specification. If you are using a mechanical advance distributor rather than a computer you will initially target 35 degrees total advance over 2500 rpm with an idle setting of 10 degrees with out vacuum advance. From there experimentation to determine most effective setting for your engine.
5 degrees BTDC. remember to set the idle to 800rpm for automatic transmission and plug the vacuum advance ose before setting the timing.
5 degrees BTDC electronic advance must be disabled first then 5degrees before tdc
The vacuum canister can advance 24 degrees beyond initial timing.
Engines 389 and larger can be set for 6 degrees BTDC. Remember to disconnect and plug the vacuum advance hose before setting the base timing.
just the top one that is the vacum advance, timing should be 2 degrees BTDC with vacum advance line removed and blocke
I didn't see a specific year year you're interested in, however a 1978 Olds 403 is listed as 18 degrees initial timing (detach and plug vacuum advance hose while setting initial advance).
8 Degrees BTDC. / Before top dead center. Be sure to unhook the vaccum advance on the distributor when setting the timing.
the timing shoujld be 8 degrees BTDC. If your engine has a vacume advance hose running to the distributor than you will have to remove it from the distributor and seal it off before setting the timing.
1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 That is the correct "firing order" , but I believe he wanted to know the "initial timing" setting. I googled it, and came up with 08 degrees BTDC (before top dead center)for a '79 350 Chevy. That should put you in the ballpark, but experimenting with your timing setting for optimum performance is usually required, especially if the engine isn't completely "stock". Good luck. Also if you are setting timing for the first time disconnect the vacume advance hose from carb / or manifold then set base timiming at 8 degrees. The advance in H.E.I will set the rest of the advance setting for that year of truck.