could someone clarify my question real quick?

[deadlast]

i was just about to go bump my timing, but i wasnt sure which step comes first. do i pull the spout, then start the engine, then adjust timing? or do i start the engine then pull the spout, then adjust timing?

same at the end. after im done adjusting do i put the spout back in, then shut the car off, or shut the car off then reconnect the spout?

 

[mackey]

It doesn't matter when you remove the spout. It is a jumper for the computer that allows the CPU to adjust the timing. You can remove it at any point and it will not make a difference. Do yourself a favor and go down under the car and mark the harmonic balancer with white paint where you want the timing. Makes it so much easier than struggling to see. I just put a small white line with a marker.

 

[TheUser]

here's a quote froms someone (unknown at this point) who replied to me a couple years ago when I was asking a question about timing:

"You need a timing light first off. It
is a good idea to clean the timing marks on your balancer so you
can see them better. Then what I did was use some white out to mark
10* which is stock and some red nail polish to mark 12* BTDC which
is where I wanted to set mine. If you wanna go higher just mark
whatever degree you want to advance it to some guys run as high as
16* degrees with no pinging each engine is different so it may take
a bit of trial/error to find what works best for you. Then you wanna
warm your car to operating temp and shut it off. Then unplug the
spout connector it is the wire comming off your TFI module with the
box looking thing on it you just take the jumper out of it (I told
you to shut your car off cause this is close to the fan no need to
lose a finger). Ok then next connect the power leads from the timing
light to your battery and put the inductive lead around your number
one wire. After that loosen the hold down bracket for the distributor
so that you can turn it by hand but not to loose. Then crank the car
up and point the light at the timing indicator while standing slightly
twoards the passenger side of the car so you can see the pointer. Now
you just wanna turn the distributor counterclockwise until you reach
your desired timing. Tighten the hold down bolt and take it for a
drive to see how it feels."

 

[iwashmycar]

good explanation...always wondered if i was doin it right

 

[tunedin302]

Great explanation by User. As mentioned above, mark TDC, 10, and 15 on the balancer - I just used some chalk and it worked out great.

 

[TheUser]

Can't take credit for the content, but I did do a great job of posting, huh?

I marked my balancer with silver model car paint, but white out or whatever will work too.

And yeah, it shouldn't really matter when you remove it as it is just a jumper, but I wasn't 100% positive, so I looked up that info I had saved.

Good luck