timing light........Att: Michael Yount

[1fast94svt]

Hey guys, have never used a timing light before and am going to have to use it tonight...any advice on how to use it, or a site maybe which i can print up. I have a buddy helping me with the timing and the dizzy tonight because he has built a few of these motors, but said he hasnt used one of these lights in a while. Any help is always appreciated. Thanks
-Sean.

 

[jrichker]

Hook up the timing light's battery leads, clip the pickup on #1 spark plug. Paint the mark on the harmonic balancer you want to use, 10 degrees, 12 degrees, 14 degrees, what ever your choice is. Just make sure you paint the correct mark and that it is visible. I paint TDC red, 10 degrees blue, and 14 degrees white. With a 94 and the tendency they have to ping, you may not be able to use 14 degrees even with 93 octane.

Start the engine, let it idle, remove the SPOUT jumper. On 94 and later models the SPOUT is in the wiring harness near the TFI. The location is different from the 86-93 model cars. Put the SPOUT in your pocket, don't leave it laying around: it is too easy to lose. Aim the timing light at the pointer on the RH side of the engine. Loosen the 1/2" bolt that secures the distributor. I use a 1/2" universal socket & 12" extension with a rachet. Slowly turn the distributor until the paint mark & timing pointer line up. Tighten down the bolt and plug the SPOUT back in. That's all there is to it.

 

[1fast94svt]

indeed 94

its a 94, so would the harness near the TFI be under the upper manifold? If not where would it be. Sorry electronics and wiring is not my thing. I am lost.

 

[1fast94svt]

yeah its dumb

and call me dumb but what does TFI stand for...somethuing fuel injection i know...but im guessing not the harness by the injectors b/c that would mean the upper manifold would need to come out and than u cant start the car so you can do timing...

 

[Venom4.6]

I thought the SPOUT connector was next to the MAF on the 94-95's?

 

[jrichker]

and call me dumb but what does TFI stand for...somethuing fuel injection i know...but im guessing not the harness by the injectors b/c that would mean the upper manifold would need to come out and than u cant start the car so you can do timing...

TFI=Thick Flim Ignition. You don't have to remove the manifold to get to the SPOUT.

Maybe one of the 94-95 guys can give a better description of the location.

If you don't get one of them to respond, repost in the 94-95 Forum.

 

[85 Coupe 5.0]

1. do you have an adjustable timing light -does it have a dial on the back of it-?

2. if you have an adjustable light proceed to step 4, if not, go to step 3.

3. Mark your harmonic balancer at 10 degrees, and mark the tab on the timing cover. Proceed to step 5.

4. Mark your harmonic balancer at 0 degrees and mark the pointer on the timing cover.

4. adjust the dial on your timing light to read 10 degrees.

5. clip the timing light pickup lead to the #1 spark plug wire, and the black and red clips to the battery.

6. Remove the SPOUT connector, WITH THE IGNITION IN THE OFF POSITION! You can damage the Compuer if you do not have the ignition off first!

7. Start the vehicle. "Shoot" the light towards the balancer and timing tab. (Check to make sure the dial hasn't moved on the back of your light from the 10 degree mark. ONLY IF YOU HAVE AN ADJUSTABLE LIGHT) You can go more, but 10 is stock i believe.

8. Losen and rotate the distributor untill the mark on the pointer lines up with the mark on the balanacer.

9. tighten the distributor hold down, kill the engine, replace the SPOUT connector and disconnect your timing light. Done.

Any Questions?

 

[1fast94svt]

WHAT THE H3LL

the timing light i have has no spout ...has negative and postive cable..and a clamp thing for the #1 spark plug. How do i use this one? And will this kind work...whats going on im confused now....

 

[blackstangt]

the Spout is a part of the car's computer wiring, just hook the light up to your pos and neg, then tour #1 plug wire, as close to the plug as poss. find the spout in the wiring harness, and disconnect it, start the car, and rotate the distributor (if necessary) to the proper timing.
the spout on 86-93 cars is right off of the distributor wiring, ask a 94-95 person where it is on your car.
The S.P.O.U.T. should look like a little gray rectangle, look around, it shouldn't be hard to find.
plug it in when your done and give the car's computer time to adjust.

 

[blackstangt]

I need help too but no one ever helps me.

 

[85 Coupe 5.0]

the timing light i have has no spout ...has negative and postive cable..and a clamp thing for the #1 spark plug. How do i use this one? And will this kind work...whats going on im confused now....

It sounds like you do not have an adjustable light, follow my instructions for the non-adjustable light. When I mentioned SPOUT i didn't mean on the light, as mentioned above (thanks blackstang) I meant on the vehicle. It's located about 4 or so inches from the distributor, usually hanging off the loomed wires going to the distributor.

 

[95cobra50]

my spout is sticking up so you can see it but its under the maf. It will be stuck on the wall right there.