Need igniton timing help
 

I have a 1988 930 and I removed the distributor to do some work on the oil lines bind it. When I replaced it, I must have got a tooth off. Now it won't start, almost fires off. Is there a simple process to setting the distributor and timing? I know this may seem like a simple question to all of you experienced people out there, but your help would be much appreciated.

Thank you,

Kelly

Manually turn the engine over until the TDC mark is lined up with the timing mark on the shroud and piston 1 is in the compression stroke. You should feel pressure as you near the mark, if not, go one more rotation. The rotor should be pointing roughly at the #1 wire.

Then get out your timing light and dial it in.

Timing help
 

Need to know where to set the timing and procedure. Such as at idle or higher RPM, how many degrees and so on. Thanks for your help.

Cheers!

Kelly

That's a big "it depends". If you are bone stock with smog gear in place, you should probably stick with what's in your manual. For my '87 the stock timing is 10* AFTER TDC at 950 RPM with vacuum lines ATTACHED and 26* BTDC at 4k RPM with them REMOVED.

Mine runs like crap with those idle settings. However if you have nothing to control extra advance when you are on boost, be conservative. The boost retard will pull something like 8* out, so factory safe settings appear to be a max of 18* on boost.

These cars are all so different, there is no "magic number". You'll need to play with it, but I urge you to start cautious with less max advance, because too much on boost can grenade your engine.

These threads are very informative:

checking-timing.

ultimate-930-distributor-advance-retard-timing-turbo-lag-msd-mod-thread

msd-success

Thank you!