my car has no spout connector next to the distributor, i believe it is necessary to remove in order to set timing but does it need to be in there at all times
If you really don't have a spout then the computer is not controlling your timing...it is locked out. You should also have a trouble code for it.
The spout is not necessary...but you want the computer to have control of your timing, especially if you still have a low base timing around 10, because the computer will adjust it much higher.
I forgot to put mine back in once and drove around and is smelt fuel real bad and it kept backfiring when i let off the throttle. yes you need the connector in.
Yes, but they will typically set their base timing to ~ 20* and leave it there. It's a "safe" way to go on a turbo car as the computer cant advance the timing...however you will loose lower rpm response and could possible have warmup issues.
I'll add on here though that if the spout connector could have been removed by a previous back yard mechanic. The TFI module will continue to fire without a signal to the computer…which is what the spout connector is for. You can remove the connector all together and splice the wires back together. This would give the computer control of timing at all times…but would not allow you to set your base timing as there would be no spout to remove. I'd check to see if you have a splice in your spout wire coming from the TFI module on the distributor. The spout wire is the second one from the top I believe (pin 6). It will be right below the pip wire which is the only shielded wire going to the TFI. If the wire is indeed connected as I suspect, you'll need a way to interrupt the wire to check and adjust your base timing. This could be done by simply cutting the spout wire…checking and adjusting the base timing and reconnecting it. I however would suggest finding a more permanent means of doing this.