[updated:LAST EDITED ON 15-Nov-02 AT 09:01 AM (EST)]I am going to go rent a timing light from AutoZone this weekend like Dennis recommended. I want to know, in lamens terms, how do I set the timing ? I just replaced the timing chain and sprockets this past weekend but now want to verify that they are in sync. Any special tools needed ?

I've wanted a timing light for years and years but never bought one. This time I am going to rent one due to monetary reasons.

I hope that I don't burn you people out on my posts but this is the best source of info that I have. I use my Chiltons, Haynes and have access to Mitchell On-Demand System and you all beat them by a long shot.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 15-Nov-02 AT 09:30 PM (EST)]Loosen the distributor hold-down bolt. Connect the red (+) and black (-) clips of the light to the appropriate terminals on your battery. Open the ignition wire clamp, slip it over the #1 cylinder wire, and close it. Mark your harmonic balancer with a small dab of White Out or chalk at the appropriate marking to correspond with the timing spec for your truck. An example would be the factory recommended 8 degrees BTDC (Before Top Dead Center) for the 302 in certain year trucks. In this case, you would mark the scale on the balancer at the "8" mark on the BTDC side. Disconnect the "spout" connector, or the single wire connector (male / female) located right around the base of the distributor. (This will prevent the timing from being advanced while you're checking and adjusting). Being sure that all wires are clear of the fan and pulleys, start the engine. Point the timing light at the balancer and squeeze the trigger. The light will flash in time with the firing of the #1 cylinder. Point the light (be careful not to stick it or your hand into the fan!) at the balancer and timing pointer. With your free hand, rotate the distributor as necessary to line up your mark with the timing pointer. Shut the engine down. Being careful not to disturb the distributor position, retighten the hold-down bolt. Restart and double-check the timing position before removing the light. Reconnect the spout connector. Hope this helps!

 

And a P.S. to the above..... there are many on this board who have advanced their timing further, say to around 10, 12, and maybe 14 degrees BTDC to enjoy better throttle response. You will know you've gone too far if the the engine pings under load when driving, at which point you should dial it back in 2 degree increments to correct the problem. Just a thought, should you be interested in tweaking it a bit over and above the stock specs. Every little bit helps, and the stock 302 needs every bit of help it can get!

 

Thanks restorit,

Your instructions are exactly what I wanted.

I think that it is always a good idea to ask for instructions when doing something new. Especially when you have a forum like this one and the resources that is available !!!!

Oh course, my other half doesn't think that I ask for enough instructions / directions....

Thanks again,

 

Don't forget to get a Vacuum tester too.

Here is an article for the 351M/400 but thre info is the practically the same.

[link:home.earthlink.net/~bubbaf250/perf/perf02b.html|Timing An Engine]


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