A good way to set Ignition Timing?

I returned a few days ago from my extended vacation in the Balkans happy to find my new parts from Pelican in my mailbox. As I started my engine restoration, I went with the easy things first, replacing leaky oil lines--being close to the Holidays and all!!

Despite a large oil spill (the main oil hose came off prematurely and fell past the bucket), all was going well until I reached the left side Carrera tensioner oil line. I tried for over an hour to get something behind the distributor to loosen that nut when it became evident, the only way that line was coming off, was to pull the distributor out of the way.

You all can guess the rest, the line went on fine, but now I have a timing problem because I was not prepared to be setting the ignition timing. I have the Haynes manual and tried to follow that, but it is like reading a foreign language--obviously written for someone who has at least an apprentice knowledge of auto mechanics.

Does anyone know of a good method of setting the timing that a novice could follow?

The P car runs okay, but it is not smooth above 50 mph and has a definite audible "miss"

Thanks--Happy Holidays,


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'77 Targa

First of all, stop driving the car if you think the timing is way off you could do damge. Detonation is hard to tell in a 911 engine especially if you don't know what to listen for.

Ignition timing should be done with a timing light. If you have no idea how to do it and reading the manual does not help I would take it to a mechanic and let him do it, and ask him to show you. just setting timing should not be expensive at all because all he's gonna do it loosen the bolt and rotate the distributor until the timing is correct.

One more thing, the 911 uses CD ignition system, the mechanic should be familiar with this setup.

[This message has been edited by orbmedia (edited 12-26-2000).]

It's very true that this is a three minute operation for a garage, so it should not be expensive. And not a bad ideal because then the timing is (theoretically) correct when he's done and maybe you can even watch.

A timing light is necessary, and the kind to get (which I don't have) is the kind that measures advance. This way, you can measure the timing at full advance, which is probably important.

Finally, the specs are probably inside your engine compartment. There likely is a sticker that tells the specifications. It will give you idle speed (950 rpm maybe) number of degrees before or after TDC, and whether the vacuum hose to the distributor should be unhooked or not.

Just hook the timing light to a battery and to the #1 spark plug wire, point the light onto the main, lower pulley and line turn the distributor until the lines line up. Don't forget to retighten the clamping nut.

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'83 SC

Remember also that in replacing the distributor, you might have set it one gear tooth away from the right position. This would cause the timing to be off by a significant amount.
You should check the timing with a light and if it is way off, then set the engine at Top Dead Center in the #1 cylinder. Next install the distributor in such a position that the rotor points to the #1 lead position, after you push it down. Notice that the rotor twists as it engages the drive gears.
Whan this is all done start it and rotate the distributor while using a timing light to set the initial timing at idle.
Next, verify that the advance is correct for higher engine speed.
If any of the above advice seems complicated, suggest that you have a mechanic do it.
Ned Monaghan

Thanks for your advice! It does not seem like it should be real difficult to do, but I'm concerned about knowing when the #1 cylinder is at TDC instead of the #4? I'll give it a shot and then take it to a garage if it does not work!

Anthony Kram

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'77 Targa

Anthony,

If you jack up the left side of the car, and put a jack stand under the torsion bar tube so that the left rear tire is 4-6" off the ground you should be able to pull the exhaust valve cover without losing much oil. If you turn the engine to the TDC mark for cylinder #1, check both valves for clearance at both intake and exhaust valves ... if no clearance you are at TDC overlap for #1, and need to turn the engine over another 360 degrees, then you will be ready to set your basic ignition timing! Put the distributor so rotor is pointing at the number #1 sparkplug wire, which has a mark at the body of the distributor.

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa