Ignition Timing

[Timon]

I seem to be having a small problem with the ignition timing. I have an inductive timing light that I'm using. I have it set up properly per the instructions, and the light strobes every time the #1 cylinder fires. The problem is seeing the notches on the pulley. From my understanding the strobing is suppose to make it look like the pulley is standing still, allowing you to clearly see the notches, but this isn't the case. It attempts to, but the notches don't exactly stay put.

The notches go kind of like this:

Originally Posted by Pulley

1st
0*----------10*-----16*
|__________|______|

2nd
---0*----------10*------16*
___|__________|_______|

1st
0*----------10*-----16*
|__________|______|

2nd
---0*----------10*------16*
___|__________|_______|

As the pulley is spinning it seems like the notches are vibrating back and forth, repeating between 1st and 2nd as noted above. This makes it kind of difficult to adjust the timing properly.

Advice?

[Jackstand Queen]

Did you short circuit the two leads inside the Testing Connector located high up on the Driver's side of the rear engine bay?

Connecting two particular leads in this is supposed to make it possible to time the motor using an old fashioned timing light.

[Timon]

I'm not sure what you mean by old fashion, but yes I jumpered terminals E1 and T in the diagnostic connector. This actually removes the engine controlled idle, allowing the engine to idle mechanically.

I've done everything step by step, so any other ideas?

[Jackstand Queen]

Check for wiring being weakened by flexing (hanging on by a thread) around the Distributor, and ignitor.

Plug in your Spare Ignitor and see if its your ignitor. I have a Spare N.A. ignitor for 85 to 87's. Or you can pick one up off Ebay for very little money.

Plug in your spare ECU and see if the ECU is the problem. Again I have a spare for N.A.'s.

Yes, Timing lights are way Old School. Now you just plug your car into a $100K plus engine analyzer and get the timing that way. Isn't progress wonderful?

With cars and their associated electronics being as old as they are, keeping a stock of spare critical parts is a good idea.

[ve2dict]

for he record i just move the distributer till it sounds right ...then test drive....maybe move it a hair one way, test drive, try the other way, test drive....oh the first way was better, try that plus more, oh thats worse, move it back a bit ...oh thats good right on

[Gotanmr2]

Originally Posted by ve2dict

for he record i just move the distributer till it sounds right ...then test drive....maybe move it a hair one way, test drive, try the other way, test drive....oh the first way was better, try that plus more, oh thats worse, move it back a bit ...oh thats good right on

He isnt the only one either

[Timon]

Lol, that's like using a butt-dyno. It feels fast, but who knows what power you're actually getting.

[Gotanmr2]

Originally Posted by Timon

Lol, that's like using a butt-dyno. It feels fast, but who knows what power you're actually getting.

Well i guess my sc12 is putting down 300 at the wheels then