Base Timing?

[maroman88]

im begining to think my car wont start cuz the timing may be off. how do i check and set the base timing? just enough to get it to run?

[V]

I believe the base timing for a tpi 350(305 may be a little different, i dunno for sure) is around 6 degrees BTDC. To get the base timing, just use a timing light and that will give you that number. To set the base timing, shut off the car, unhook the ESC connector in the underhood wiring harness, should be around where the distributor is, its a 1 wire connector. Then start the car and use the timing light to set the timing to where you want it but slowly turnign the entire distributor one way ort he other. Once that is set, shut off the car, and then reconnect the ESC connector. Now the timing should be set at your recent setting. If you dont unplug the ESC wire, the ecm will continue to adjust the timing while you turn the distributor and youll never get anywhere, trust me, i messed with it for a while before i remembered that.

[Koll]

I believe its 8 BTDC

[maroman88]

well that sounds good paul but the car doesnt start, just cranks, n i dont have a timing light lol, where would one purchase one of them and about how much?

[maroman88]

ok i just went out and unplugged the ESC and turned the key and the car started!! a huge cloud of smoke came out and gas poured outa the exhaust tips lol that ****s flooded! i turned the car off and reconnected the ESC and no start, disconected it and no start again!

[Ian]

how was it running when it finally started? did it stumble or anything?

[maroman88]

i had to stay on the gas around 2k rpm to keep it going, then i looked back n saw the cloud n thought my house was on fire and i let off the gas and it died

[Ian]

was it running smoothly when you held it at 2K or was it breaking up?

[maroman88]

i would say smooth