distributor/timing question

[95BlueStallion]

So I had to loosen my distributor and pull it out a little to install my new intake, but as I went to retighten it in the end I accidentally rotated it slightly. I know where it was set from the factory as I made marking to revert to incase this happened, and the car is running great, but my question is this: I noticed the idle changed as the distributor was rotated back and forth. Is there a significant difference in timing by the rotation of the distributor only by a few degrees? Which direction of spin advances or retards the timing? And is this how some people advance their timing for performance reasons? When I tinkered with it, my car seemed to idle and rev crappy in any position but the stock one... Sorry, I know yall are probably rolling your eyes at me!

 

[final5-0]

Hello Nick

Honestly ... No rolling eyes on my part directed at you

I see your post as an inquiry for basic info

Yes ... just the slightest nudge in either direction can change your value
by 2 to 4 degrees

You need to get yourself a timing light so you can be in total control
of that setting :Word:

Yes ... twisting the dizzy is how some add more spark
but
The real cool cats ... They use a keyboard

Grady

 

[95BlueStallion]

Hey, thanks Grady. I didnt know how sensitive a change that made. I will have to get a timing light, cause all of a sudden my car wont hold a steady idle in the morning until it warms up... That is one thing I want to check is the timing. Im also kinda wondering about some vacuum lines I rerouted, but Ill figure it out either way.

 

[95CobraMike]

ya I.d check vaccum lines also..... timing a few degrees usually doesn't effect the idle speed... but it could happen.. get a timing light.. they are pretty cheap and worth the investment

 

[toyman]

ya I.d check vaccum lines also..... timing a few degrees usually doesn't effect the idle speed... but it could happen.. get a timing light.. they are pretty cheap and worth the investment

Just remember to remove the "SPOUT" before you test or change the setting

Located between the airbox and the fender

 

[HISSIN50]

I have different experience about a small change in timing noticably changing the idle speed (atleast in my experience on much more stockish cars than Mike's nice combo. ). I can hear the idle drop (and note it with a digital tach) with as little as a 2* change (advancing raises the idle, retarding lowers it).

 

[95CobraMike]

(atleast in my experience on much more stockish cars than Mike's nice combo. ).

 

[95BlueStallion]

So I was at the parts store getting a dang belt tensioner cause mine went to flappin around and I looked at timing lights. The basic was like $30, and the "digital" was $125. Is there any reason why I would be wrong in getting the basic one, since Im not an engine builder or dyno tuner? Im still curious about my timing... Im one of those guys that always wonders if I messed something up, even though it seems right...

 

[HISSIN50]

I'd get the cheap one. The bottom line is that we tune by ear (if we hear pinging, we retard the timing). Ergo, the timing light is just to get us close and to compare our setting to that of other folks.

 

[95BlueStallion]

I'd get the cheap one. The bottom line is that we tune by ear (if we hear pinging, we retard the timing). Ergo, the timing light is just to get us close and to compare our setting to that of other folks.

Thank you, sir.