Okay, I've done some searching and have found threads about setting the timing. My car is a 2.5 iron duke, 86.

I know that I have to set the button on the rotor to plug wire #1 when the piston one is at TDC. I also know that I have to jump the A and B port on the ALDL connector. I removed the spark plug for number one and plug the hole with my finger. I turned the engine over with a wrench.

My questions are as follows:

I felt pressure and air hissed out. Does that mean that it is at TDC or just that it was started upward on the compression stroke? In other words, how do I know exactly when it is at TDC?

When do I put in the ALDL connector? When do I remove it? What happens if I don't do this step?

Thanks,

Mike

You jumper the ALDL pins, then start the car, check the timing with a timing light, adjust if needed, turn off the car and remove the jumper pin.

As for finding TDC, I'm not sure...

How much do timing lights cost?

Thanks,

Mike

They're not too much. You could probably borrow one though, since you don't need it very often.

When you feel the hissing/pressure on your thumb your on the compression stroke, that's important...

If you want to set static timing continue to rotate the engine until the timing marks line up. Then make sure the distributor rotor is pointing where the #1 tower on the cap would be. You can then put the cap on, hook a spark tester to coil wire and with key on, wiggle the distributor back and forth and get an idea of where the spark fires. Lock it down there and you'll be within 2 degrees, go ahead and start the engine and follow the procedure on the emissions sticker with a timing light to get it exact.

I'm assuming the distributor has been pulled for a replacement or a fresh engine? If you didn't index it when you installed it, and the distributor isn't pointing near the correct #1 position with engine at TDC as described, you can restab it now that you know where TDC is... just use some whiteout/paint/whatever and mark the distributor housing where the #1 tower would line up and stab it in so that the rotor rolls to the #1 position as you seat it. I don't remember if the distributor on a 2.5 also controls oil pump drive, if so you may need to line that up with a screwdriver so that the distributor will engage it as it goes in.

OKay, one question. I would know if someone was there to help me and turning the ignition...but I'm alone. When I put the wrench on to turn the Crankshaft, do I pull the wrench handle towards the firewall (clockwise) or away (counter-clock wise)

quote Originally posted by FierosinKY: Okay, I've done some searching and have found threads about setting the timing. My car is a 2.5 iron duke, 86. I know that I have to set the button on the rotor to plug wire #1 when the piston one is at TDC. I also know that I have to jump the A and B port on the ALDL connector. I removed the spark plug for number one and plug the hole with my finger. I turned the engine over with a wrench. My questions are as follows: I felt pressure and air hissed out. Does that mean that it is at TDC or just that it was started upward on the compression stroke? In other words, how do I know exactly when it is at TDC? When do I put in the ALDL connector? When do I remove it? What happens if I don't do this step? Thanks, Mike

Hi Mike, You can always take out the # 1 plug and either put a flashlight in there or a piece of wire to check TDC, Move the distributor around enough to get the car started and warm, then do your timing, the lights run around 19.00 to 29.00 , after warm, ground aldl a & b then adjust from there with your light. If you don`t time it correctly the ecm will be off 30% advance of more, really not worth the hassle you`ll have later down the road... Hope this helps some.

quote Originally posted by 3800superfast: Hi Mike, You can always take out the # 1 plug and either put a flashlight in there or a piece of wire to check TDC, Move the distributor around enough to get the car started and warm, then do your timing, the lights run around 19.00 to 29.00 , after warm, ground aldl a & b then adjust from there with your light. If you don`t time it correctly the ecm will be off 30% advance of more, really not worth the hassle you`ll have later down the road... Hope this helps some.

So I look in the spark plug hole with a flashlight? or use a wire to "feel" when the piston is at TDC? This sounds better that hoping or guessing,k haha. What do you mean get the car warm? Like spin the distrubor by hand? Right now I'd just like to get it driving and drive it 20 miles to get it home. This car will be getting my 4.5 caddy engine anyway later down the road.

I was meaning just turn the distibutor to get it 1/2 way decent running, the engine has to be at operating temp to do the timing correctly..

What does the timing light actually consist of and how do you use it anyways?

Sorry for being such a beginner. I can swap engines, trannies, whatever, but troubleshooting and some of these smaller things, I just don't have the experience yet as a 21-year-old and my Dad doesn't know cars or my friends.

Hi, Yea, you can just turn it until you get a decent idle--then see how it runs--if it won`t start by doing this--you may have to lift the distributor up and turn the bottom about 180% , then reset and try again. The timing light looks like a cartoon plastic pistol, with 2 leads red/black coming off it, then a 3rd one to hook to the # 1 plug wire & then the # 4 plug wire after the # 1 is 10 % before TDC

Do any of y'all have MSN Messenger or AOL IM or Yeahoo or something? PM me if you don't want to publisize your sn. Or a phone call or something? I talked to the guys at the auto parts store but they didn't seem to know too much. I could take the car to the garage but I HATE not learning how to fix my problems and having to pay for it.

Mike

No worries--the kids have IM but I don`t fool with it much on line. Have you looked in the search box at the top of the page on *Timing* or anything like that ? If your just wanting to get it home, the above should work. If you need more detailed info --post again I`ll do the best I can...

quote Originally posted by 3800superfast: Hi, Yea, you can just turn it until you get a decent idle--then see how it runs--if it won`t start by doing this--you may have to lift the distributor up and turn the bottom about 180% , then reset and try again. The timing light looks like a cartoon plastic pistol, with 2 leads red/black coming off it, then a 3rd one to hook to the # 1 plug wire & then the # 4 plug wire after the # 1 is 10 % before TDC

Wow, and to think I could do all that with a flashlight,. So how do you actually check the timing with that setup? I'm not getting something.

I'm doing an engine swap on my 87GT and I'll have to install a different distributor (previously owner salvaged that part) so I need to learn how to do this good. I will have to do it again with my 4.5 I'm rebuilding, haha.

quote Originally posted by FierosinKY: Wow, and to think I could do all that with a flashlight,. So how do you actually check the timing with that setup? I'm not getting something. I'm doing an engine swap on my 87GT and I'll have to install a different distributor (previously owner salvaged that part) so I need to learn how to do this good. I will have to do it again with my 4.5 I'm rebuilding, haha.

Hi, NO---- The flashlight is only to look into the # 1 plug hole when your trying to find TDC or when your piston has come to the top of that cylinder---you need a timing light to time your car---you said you needed a quick fix to drive it 20 miles --thats what I gave you...

quote Originally posted by 3800superfast: Hi, NO---- The flashlight is only to look into the # 1 plug hole when your trying to find TDC or when your piston has come to the top of that cylinder---you need a timing light to time your car---you said you needed a quick fix to drive it 20 miles --thats what I gave you...

Gotcha. I'm trying to find someone here at the school that has a car trailer so I can just pull it home and get it off the parking lot where the car is at. Will do this though if I can't find one.

Thanks a ton,

Mike

I'm on AIM, "The JAX04" and MSN with jax184.
Go ahead and pester me there if you need a bit more help.