imported_marc

Im gonna be changing my distributor and will have to reset the timing on my car. what should i set it to? is there a round about # for advance that will make the car run better? i have a 90 350tpi auto

JesasaurusRex

8 advanced sounds about right. I really dont remember at all how far you can set it forward maybe arch can jump in but you shouldnt have any problems with 8 degrees advance.

archemedes

8 sounds right, what I normally do is start from where the sticker under the hood says and go slight advances until performance drops then go back

JesasaurusRex

Or you can do it the way us with out timing marks on our front cover do it. Advance a lil and rev the motor all the way up to where it makes power. Keep advancing it until it pings. Then retard a lil

imported_marc

so say i go 6 advanced the would be playing it safe right?

JesasaurusRex

I say 8 would be safe but if u wanna go 6 go 4 it.

imported_marc

thanks for the info

JesasaurusRex

I do what i can

imported_marc

? how do you do the timing adjustement with the distributor? My mechanic is telling me that you cant adjust the timing to increase performance with my distributor. I dont want to take it to another shop to do it so wondering if i can do it myself. I have a 350 tpi 90 camaro with a computer controlled engine. Thanks.

JesasaurusRex

You have a timing gun?

P.S. get a new mechanic

archemedes

disconnect the little brown wire at the distributor and turn the distributor (yes get a mechanic that knows what he's talking about instead of talking out his ***)

imported_marc

well it was actually the owner that was telling me you couldnt do it like that, the mechanics are pretty cool. I actually went to school with one of them but i didnt get a chance to speak to them. im sure they know what to do, i was just wondering in case of anything. thanks though.

imported_marc

Well changed the distributor and the car is still running like sh*t, doing the same thing. Starts up fine when cold but as soon as it warms up the idle jumps around and car starts cutting off when you drive it . I have no idea what the hell is wrong with this thing its been out of commission for a month.

JesasaurusRex

Did you install it correctly? Did you use a timing gun?

archemedes

have you checked teh timing chain? it could be bad (they used nylon covered gears that let teh chain jump)