timing without a timer. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

job11451 · 09-10-2009, 08:23 PM

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 · 09-10-2009, 08:32 PM

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** · 09-10-2009, 09:08 PM

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 · 09-10-2009, 09:11 PM

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 · 09-10-2009, 09:22 PM

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 · 09-10-2009, 09:39 PM

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

rwolf9653 · 09-10-2009, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Number21

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

Thats too easy!

70k52wd · 09-10-2009, 10:23 PM

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 · 09-11-2009, 04:23 AM

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 · 09-11-2009, 05:21 AM

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 · 09-11-2009, 05:46 PM

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 · 09-11-2009, 08:08 PM

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

**Stocker** · 09-11-2009, 08:14 PM

Quote:

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* · 09-12-2009, 12:20 AM

why, hei's still need to be timed.

**Stocker** · 09-12-2009, 12:26 AM

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

Skirkpat · 09-12-2009, 12:30 AM

Quote:

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* · 09-12-2009, 12:45 AM

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

**Stocker** · 09-12-2009, 01:05 AM

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 · 09-12-2009, 11:58 AM

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

*2tons of fun* · 09-12-2009, 01:56 PM

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 · 09-13-2009, 09:34 AM

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

mtdave2 · 09-13-2009, 09:48 AM

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** · 09-13-2009, 10:06 AM

Quote:

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* · 09-13-2009, 12:17 PM

Quote:

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.

09-10-2009, 08:32 PM	#2
rwolf9653 more ideas than money Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: spring grove, pa Posts: 1,068	Re: timing without a timer. 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. __________________ Randy 1948 Chevy 3100 5 window 1966 Chevy C30 Dually 1967 Chevy K10 1972 Chevy K20 1972 Chevy C10 1972 Chevy K5 Blazer 1987 Chevy V10 2003 Chevy Suburban

09-10-2009, 09:08 PM	#3
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,589	Re: timing without a timer. 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. __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

09-10-2009, 09:11 PM	#4
71 super Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Canton North carolina Posts: 3,079	Re: timing without a timer. 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. __________________ 67 blue step side- bb 68 gold and white swb cst anniversary 68 custom swb hot rod Ls swap 69 swb cst 6 cylinder/ overdrive 69 black/black cst bb swb 70 orange and white cst Canada built truck swb bb 71 black and white super swb bb 71 red and white super swb 72 green and white super swb 4x4 62 nova wagon 400 series Ls swapped 68 Camaro 327/4 speed- 1 owner, original paint 66 Volkswagen bettle 69 auto stick Volkswagen Beetle

09-10-2009, 09:22 PM	#5
Big-Blue Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: highland village, TX Posts: 309	Re: timing without a timer. 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.

09-10-2009, 09:39 PM	#6
Number21 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 611	Re: timing without a timer. You can also buy a timing light at Harbor Freight for about $10 or $20.

09-10-2009, 08:23 PM	#1
job11451 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: portland, or Posts: 5	timing without a timer. 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. __________________ 69' 1/2 ton long and fat all original strong 305 for now 4 speed granny remote start

09-10-2009, 10:23 PM	#8
70k52wd Blaze-Air Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,117	Re: timing without a timer. 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.

09-11-2009, 04:23 AM	#9
unclewatts 70 Chevrolet=Obsession Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: nice ca Posts: 1,067	Re: timing without a timer. 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. __________________ I'm Just like my truck. Old, Ugly and Grouchy. Except my truck starts easily in the morning and doesn't smoke! IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN! -Kermit the frog 1970 Chevrolet C-10 Longbed Stepside : 350, Muncie M20, 3.08 GM corp. positraction Forest green exterior/light green interior(Where all my money goes) 1996 Toyota Corolla (Parts runner)

09-11-2009, 05:21 AM	#10
job11451 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: portland, or Posts: 5	Re: timing without a timer. 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. __________________ 69' 1/2 ton long and fat all original strong 305 for now 4 speed granny remote start Last edited by job11451; 09-11-2009 at 05:24 AM.

09-11-2009, 05:46 PM	#11
69GMCLonghorn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Porter Ranch, CA Posts: 978	Re: timing without a timer. 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...

09-11-2009, 08:08 PM	#12
fdbdw Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: colorado springs Posts: 479	Re: timing without a timer. buy a good light, you will use it so often you will be glad you have one

09-12-2009, 12:20 AM	#14
2tons of fun Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: galt ca, Posts: 749	Re: timing without a timer. why, hei's still need to be timed.

09-12-2009, 12:26 AM	#15
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,589	Re: timing without a timer. Yup, but not nearly as often.... with points, I was fooling around with it every time I touched the points. __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

09-12-2009, 12:45 AM	#17
2tons of fun Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: galt ca, Posts: 749	Re: timing without a timer. why would you need to do a points more than once?

09-12-2009, 01:05 AM	#18
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,589	Re: timing without a timer. 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. __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay



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09-12-2009, 11:58 AM	#19
heavy71chevy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: antreville, south carolina Posts: 873	Re: timing without a timer. not to sound like a total retard but how do use a timing light? __________________ "Dixie Destroyer" 71 C10 LWB Fleet Future Blown Prostreet Monster Last edited by heavy71chevy; 09-12-2009 at 11:58 AM.

09-12-2009, 01:56 PM	#20
2tons of fun Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: galt ca, Posts: 749	Re: timing without a timer. 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.

09-13-2009, 09:34 AM	#21
fdbdw Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: colorado springs Posts: 479	Re: timing without a timer. make sure to check if there is a direction mark on the clip that goes on the #1plug

09-13-2009, 09:48 AM	#22
mtdave2 newly minted old timer Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Hudson WI Posts: 3,508	Re: timing without a timer. 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. __________________ ____________________________________________ 72 c20 longhorn 65k org miles and counting! 69 k10 Suburban

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