Problem with 81ZX N/A Dist. Timing
 

I checked my timing today, was on TDC. I only have a somewhat useless Chilton manual, but I follow its instructions: Disconect canister purge line from manifold, plug manifold hole, disconnect vacuum advance and disconnect cable from throttle valve switch.

She was dead on, TDC, not the 10* BTDC I wanted. I loosened the bolt so I could advance the dist., but it was already as far as the plate would allow.

So, I removed the dist., loosened the bolt holding the adjusting plate to the underside of dist., was able to gain some adjustment, but not much.

Reinstalled dist. and rechecked time. A little better, 5*BTDC. Test drove car, much better pickup and smoother idle.

Still, I want the full 10*BTDC. What could be wrong such that with full adjustment I can't get into spec? BTW, #1 plug wire is in first hole CCW from rear dist. cap clip.

I can mill a new adjusting plate with more travel, but that begs the question of what is wrong now.

Thanks, John

You cant be on TDC then dude....

thats all i can think off..

I'm considering that as well. Today I'll physically verify TDC. But I think that with the dist. rotated to the maximum advance position, ie., fully clockwise, I should ping severely on cheap-ass 87 pump gasoline, but its not got a trace of ping.

I got this car about 6 weeks ago and it was truly a basket case. Starts good now, runs reliably, passed Calif. smog last week, so we've come a long way. Just have a few bugs to work out.

Thanks for the reply,
John

no probs...

What i would do take the rotor cap off turn the engine over by hand and make sure that the notch out of the crank pulley lines up with 0 on the timing mark ;) then if the rotar is facing #1 if its not your on the wrong stroke so around again you go LOL

good luck if you got any more questions ask.