jernut Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 Help me! I have a '71 240z with a 280zx E12-80 Distributor. I am trying to set the timing and am not sure exactly what to set it to? I have used the search but am still confused. I think that i should set it to 12 deg. BTDC. but im not sure if i need to disconect anything from the 280zx distributor. The car runs good I just want to make sure I am getting everything I can out of her before I move to a L28. My mods are in my sig. Is 12 deg. a safe place to be? Do i need to disconect anything from the 280zx distributor? How do I check the advance? Thanks in sdvance for all your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zmanco Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 With your setup you want about 35 degrees of total advance. If you still have the vacuum advance connected, plug it at the manifold, then with an adjustable timing light, measure the advance at ~3k rpm. IIRC, that should result in about 15-18 degrees at idle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jernut Posted October 15, 2007 Author Share Posted October 15, 2007 thanks for the response If i rev it past 3K rpm when adjusting the timing will it continue to retard the timing or will it stop at 3k rmp. Where can i find the vacuum advance hose? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zmanco Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 Actually, the timing is advanced as the engine rpm increases. But to answer your question, all of the advance should be in by 3k. If you see any further change at a higher rpm, then adjust it there. You want to set the maximum advance. There's nothing special about the 3k number. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zmanco Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 The vacuum advance hose will come off the side of the distributor just below the plastic cap and should go to the intake manifold. You may find there is no hose and that the nipple has a plug over it. It's common for the diaphragm in the distributor's advance mechanism to begin to leak and so people sometimes just disconnect it. The vacuum advance helps by giving you more advance at part throttle with high vacuum, such as when you're at freeway speeds. This helps provide a little better fuel economy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jernut Posted October 16, 2007 Author Share Posted October 16, 2007 Thanks for answering my questions. I will play around tomorrow and see how it turns out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jernut Posted October 17, 2007 Author Share Posted October 17, 2007 I set the advance to 35 degrees which is 16 degrees at idle. The car feels so much better. thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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