sorry for the newb question, but how do you check and adjust your timing with a timing light? can someone explain in detail please? thanks

please include which marks on the crank pulley etc.

 

Where can i buy one? how much are they going for??

 

I got my timing light at Sears for about $35 a long time ago...

You hook it to the battery for power, then you clamp a pickup around the #1 spark plug wire, then start the engine. Shine the light at the crank pulley & look for the marks to line up.

Depending on what year or whatever; before you start the engine, jumper a connector under your dashboard to tell the computer not to mess with the timing while you're measuring it. The marks on the crank pulley and the pointer on the timing cover which they're supposed to line up with probably change a little from year to year. Check your repair manual.

To adjust it you loosen the distributor mounting bolts, & twist the distributor a little bit till the timing marks line up the way you want.



[Modified by JimBlake, 8:16 AM 3/11/2003]

 

also, turning the distributor toward the firewall advances the timing and turning it away from the firewall retards timing.

 

Here's a good link:
http://www.c-speedracing.com/howto/timing/timing.php

 

thanks, but how do i know how much timing im advancing or retarding?

 

by the marks on the crank pulley
the group of 3 the one that's alone is 0

the one closest to the firewall is 14 the middle one is 16 and the farthest is 18

there are timing light where you can adjust it to a certain number using a dial thoguh.