Unplug the vac advance on the dist.Also there may be a plug on the drivers side of the intake manifold containing 2 wires which when unpluged turns on the ck eng light.Sometimes the balancer outter ring slips and you have to replace the balancer to set the timing.
The vacuum canister can advance 24 degrees beyond initial timing.
you need to disconnect the electronic advance plug on the side of distributor and aim the timing light on the pointer and move distrbutor until the nuber is right,usually 4 or 8 degrees
AnswerMost 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.
Counter clockwise to advance.......clockwise to retard
Yes, but that would eliminate about half of your advance curve, which you need.
counter clockwise.
Use a timing light with vacuum advance disconnected set base timing to 6 degrees
trying to set base timing on a 97 Chevy c1500 with a 5.7 engine the wire to disconnect to set base timing is ?
cam timing will not change ignition timing i would try 8 or 10 degees advance at idle with the vacuum advance disconnected.
There should be advance marks on the harmonic balancer, and timing marks on both timing chain gears.
Emmisions sticker under hood should have timing setting try 8 before the wire is a single connector look in the plastic cover on top of firewall that holds wires going across it
# Disconnect and plug the vacuum line that connects to the vacuum advance diaphragm on the distributor. # Loosen the locking bolt at the base of the distributor that allows it to turn freely, but don't turn it yet. # Connect a good quality timing light, the kind with an EXTERNAL power source, either plugs into the wall outlet or connects to the vehicle battery. # The engine has to be timed close enough to start which requires a little knowledge and experience. # Start the engine and point the timing light at the timing mark on the dampener pulley. # Turn the distributor (where you loosened it) until the timing mark aligns with the appropriate advance mark as specified in the manual. The advance may be slightly different for YOUR altitude. # Once the timing is where you want it, turn off the engine and tighten the distributor lock bolt, then restart the engine to make certain the timing is still right. # Disconnect the timing light and reconnect the vacuum advance line.