How to set timing on '81 Buick 3.8 N/A?

[Mr. 81]

Hey everybody,
I'm having trouble passing smog here in CA (HCs are high; i have another post on this) so I need to retard my ignition timing about 4 degrees. My question is: how do I set the timing on an '81 Buick Regal 3.8 N/A? Also, is it just base timing I need to adjust? I have never set timing before. Thanks in advance.

UPDATE:
Today, armed with a timing light, I went out and tried to retard the base timing. I warmed up the car, disconnected the four-wire connector(below)

and loosened the distributor hold down bolt. I began slowly turning the dizzy clockwise while keeping an eye on the timing marks. This is what I saw: . The arrows never changed position at all while turning the distributor. I thought the single arrow would move closer to the 12 mark. I not sure if there is supposed to be anything on the wheel in between the marks that I'm not seeing. What am i missing?

 

[AlanB]

It is the base timing, or initial timing (same thing), that you need to adjust. Here are two sources to get you started:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYGU7mTwsZc

and here: http://www.montecarloss.com/SS_FAQ_4.html#7

There is also a decal under your hood that describes the procedure specific to the 81 Regal. In order to adjust the timing you need to make sure the car is is base timing, which means that the ECM is not changing the ignition timing at all. There are two ways to do this on a GM computer controlled carb. Your sticker should tell you which one applies to your car. The monte link above mentions disconnecting the four wire connector.

1) Disconnect the four wire connector going to the distributor.
2) Jump terminals A and B on the ALDL connector under the dash.

 

[Mr. 81]

It is the base timing, or initial timing (same thing), that you need to adjust. Here are two sources to get you started:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYGU7mTwsZc

and here: http://www.montecarloss.com/SS_FAQ_4.html#7

There is also a decal under your hood that describes the procedure specific to the 81 Regal. In order to adjust the timing you need to make sure the car is is base timing, which means that the ECM is not changing the ignition timing at all. There are two ways to do this on a GM computer controlled carb. Your sticker should tell you which one applies to your car. The monte link above mentions disconnecting the four wire connector.

1) Disconnect the four wire connector going to the distributor.
2) Jump terminals A and B on the ALDL connector under the dash.

Thanks, AlanB!

 

[Mr. 81]

So, I've been super busy with school lately, but I finally got out to my car to try to adjust the timing to 12 degrees to pass smog. The timing is at 16 degrees now according to my smog sheet.The problem is that there is NO WAY I can read those timing marks!! They're way small! Anyone have ideas on how I can make this easier?

 

[DoubleV]

I don't know what the timing tab on a 3.8 is like but it certainly can't be that hard to read or they wouldn't have designed it that way. All you really need to do is look at your emissions decal. It'll show all the numbers on all the grooves and you can just compare your timing mark to the picture and the picture will tell you the number.

 

[lilbowtie]

Mark it with a paint pen.

 

[Mr. 81]

I don't know what the timing tab on a 3.8 is like but it certainly can't be that hard to read or they wouldn't have designed it that way. All you really need to do is look at your emissions decal. It'll show all the numbers on all the grooves and you can just compare your timing mark to the picture and the picture will tell you the number.

Thanks for the tip, I'll check that out. I should've mentioned that i have pretty bad eyesight lol.

 

[Mr. 81]

Anybody? Am I looking for some kind of marking on that wheel that lines up in between those arrows?
Thanks in advance.

 

[DoubleV]

If you don't have your emission decal to look at just get somebody with better eyesight to see where the numbers are on the pointer. I mean really, there's not much else you can do if you personally can't read the numbers because of your eyesight.

 

[67rstbkt]

Anybody? Am I looking for some kind of marking on that wheel that lines up in between those arrows?
Thanks in advance.

Clean the tab really well with some brake cleaner, then get some light down there so you can see. Use white out or some touch up paint with a brush to make a mark on 0
There's really nothing more to it. Get out there and do it.