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I'd like to slightly advance my ignition timing but am unsure how to go about this.
I know i need a timing light and that i should be looking at the crank pulley with the timing light.

After that im lost though... and help?

 
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What exactly will this do for the car?
Im assuming its a performance mod.. but will i notice the difference?

 
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Its just to optimize the spark time. Its supposed to increase response time slightly and gives better economy too.

Anyone??

 
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i assume you already know how far you want to advance.. i.e. degrees... here is a step by step..
1.take your timing light, and hook it up.. depending on style, you always have to connect one wire to the #1(closest to the belts, farthest from the transmission) spark plug wire... then, if needed, connect the power to your battery..
2. loosten 2 of the 3 bolts on your distributor... do not remove the bolts, just loosen them a turn or so so the distributor will be able to turn (if there are only 2 bolts, only loosen one..) loosen the last bolt, but keep it snug so the distributor doesn't easily move...
3. start the car, and look down at the crank pulley, and find the timing marker.. this is usually a metal tab that sticks out off of the timing cover on most newer cars..
4. read the timing mark and note the timing.. now i assume you already have done your research and found out how far to advance timing.. i wont comment on this because this is vehicle specific.
5. loosen the final distributor bolt, and turn the distributor.. very slightly.. when you are advancing the timing, the enginewill start running faster...
6. once the desired timing is acceived, tighten the bolts back and test it.. also, ot get an acurate timing reading (to compare # of degrees changed, this is not necessary but if you are setting the timing when you think it is wrong this may be necessary) you may or may not need to un-plug the vacuum advance hose and plug the hose so there is no vaccuum leak.. many vehicles will have a label somewhere if this is necessary.

 
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Yeah, what 05blkrs says. If your engine is at all dirty, you will want to be certain that the crank marks are legible - clean off any oil or grime and if necessary, put a fine line of white paint at the 0 degree mark. Once you can see this clearly, it will be easy to move BDC or ADC by marks . That's before dead center 'Top Dead Center' or after dead center. I haven't looked at any specs so I have no idea where the Vtec engines should be set.

As I understand it, the variable valve timing affects only the duration, so it should be self correcting with respect to timing. Is anyone able to set me straight on this?

 
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Where does one get a timing light from?
This is a mod I think I can do myself, just need the equipment.

Thanks for the step by step dude

 
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There aren't a lot of manufacturers that actually make timing lights. Mine is a Sun, but Craftsman was the same when I bought it, I believe. Mostly the same companies that make gauges (like Autometer). If you have doubts, I recommend an auto parts shop (Advance, Pep, O'Reilly, Champion, etc.). Another advantage to these sources is that the employees usually know what they have and how to use them. They're happy to talk about it, but you pay a tiny bit more there.

Also keep in mind that there are wide price variances, most based on the bulb technology. One will last a lifetime, kind of like a torque wrench.

 
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Ok thanks Charlie. Maybe I can just borrow one then, its not something I would use alot so buying might be a waste of money anyway.

 
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If you have not done this before I would suggest having some one with experience show you first... I tried it on my own once and got a little confused and after one of my friends showed me and explained it to me it was alot easier.

 
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i only paid like 30 bucks for mine.. now someone else has a free timing light.. this guy took it out of omy car to use it and didn't put it back.. left it in a parking lot.. along w/ about 120 dollars of other tools

 
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holy moly what the H*ll happened?

 
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One thing that Should be mentioned is that before you go and do anything to you timing, you should put a very definate mark(pencil , pen, or marker depends how long you want to see it there) across the mating surfaces of the distributor and the head. This is for a reference. If you don't like the new setting or just totally mess up you know exactly where to put it when you started...

 
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Yes good advice.
Or else you can get lost and not know where to set it back to.. then bye bye engine