timing without a timer.

[job11451]

i have a 305 that needs to be tuned and i don't have a timing gun, can anyone give me some advice on how to adjust the timing without a timing gun.
any help is appreciated, thanks.

[rwolf9653]

It is all about listening to it. Loosen the distributor and turn it one way until it sputters, then turn it the other way until it sputters, then try to split the difference. Give it some throttle and listen for any pings or knocks and try to make small adjustments to compensate for them.

[Stocker]

Listen for spark knock (pinging, detonation) as you drive, especially as you pull a hill and the engine is working harder. Retard the timing just enough for the knocking to go away.

[71 super]

Buy a vaccum guage and adjust to the highest vacuum, you may need to back it up just a tad but it will get you very close to the optimum point for your engine.

[Big-Blue]

Most parts stores loan tools like this. You give them a credit card number in case you don't bring it back.

I borrowed a code reader from O'Reilly's for my '02 GMC and it told me I needed to new oxygen sensor. Saved me at least $50 and I was able to replace the sensor in the evening and didn't have to take a day off to take the truck to a shop.

[Number21]

You can also buy a timing light at Harbor Freight for about $10 or $20.

[rwolf9653]

Originally Posted by Number21

You can also buy a timing light at Harbor Freight for about $10 or $20.

Thats too easy!

[70k52wd]

If it's a points dist. I've done it by setting the balancer on the timing mark you want, and with the key turned to on position(motor not running), slowly turn the dist until you hear it spark, tighten it down. I think it's called static timing.

[unclewatts]

Not to get anybody mad, but all those ways will get you close but the only way to do it properly is with a timing light. I used to have a friend who was into racing and he adjusted my dist. till it ran real smooth at idle and I drove it and when I punched it, my engine knocked like crazy! Ummm, nope.

[job11451]

thanks guys, after adjusting the distributor to get it as good as my mental capacity can handle, i realized it is best to use a timing light. i think i'll get one at harbor freight.

[69GMCLonghorn]

It's still fun to adjust it best you can, take it out, floor it and see if it pings, and repeat until it doesn't ping...

[fdbdw]

buy a good light, you will use it so often you will be glad you have one

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by fdbdw

buy a good light, you will use it so often you will be glad you have one

A looooong time ago I had a cheapie which stopped working after a few years. So I bought a Sun timing light. It still works great, but I hardly ever use it anymore -- especially since I switched to HEI.

[2tons of fun]

why, hei's still need to be timed.

[Stocker]

Yup, but not nearly as often.... with points, I was fooling around with it every time I touched the points.

[Skirkpat]

Originally Posted by 2tons of fun

why, hei's still need to be timed.

only need to do it one time, unless you move the Dist.

[2tons of fun]

why would you need to do a points more than once?

[Stocker]

Points begin to deteriorate as soon as you put them in, and the gap (therefore dwell angle) changes as they wear. If you file them (to buy more time), that changes things too. And they need to be replaced regularly, depending on miles driven and quality of the points themselves, so you get to start all over again.

[heavy71chevy]

not to sound like a total retard but how do use a timing light?

[2tons of fun]

clip the lead onto the #1 plug wire

connect the power leads to the battery.

with the motor running the light will flash every time #1 fires.

when you aim the light at the dside of the motor @ the harmonic dampner the strobing effect will highlite the timing mark and you will be able to see when #1 fires in relation to the stroke of the motor.

[fdbdw]

make sure to check if there is a direction mark on the clip that goes on the #1plug

[mtdave2]

listening to the pinging under load is the best way to time a motor, imho. even a timing light wont do a better job. every engine is a bit different, especially when you start changing cams and doing other upgrades. what the book says to set the timing at is more of a generic setting.

i use a light to get it at book setting. then i test drive, accelerate hard and listen for the rattle. if i don’t hear anything, i bump the timing ahead. Repeat.

do this until you hear the rattle or pinging sound, back the timing off a little, and now you have the proper timing for your engine.

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by mtdave2

listening to the pinging under load is the best way to time a motor, imho. even a timing light wont do a better job. every engine is a bit different, especially when you start changing cams and doing other upgrades. what the book says to set the timing at is more of a generic setting.

i use a light to get it at book setting. then i test drive, accelerate hard and listen for the rattle. if i don’t hear anything, i bump the timing ahead. Repeat.

do this until you hear the rattle or pinging sound, back the timing off a little, and now you have the proper timing for your engine.

I have to agree with this..... once you know what setting is best for your particular engine, the fuel you use and the way you drive, record it or remember it for future reference. Then when you need to time the engine again, use the timing light to set it quickly & accurately.

[2tons of fun]

Originally Posted by fdbdw

make sure to check if there is a direction mark on the clip that goes on the #1plug

most new lights dont care and arent marked.