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

[Mr. 81]

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.

Thanks, I have someone helping me now, I'm just not sure if when I turn the distributor the numbers and the arrow will line up differently.

 

[Mr. 81]

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.

So is there a notch or something on the wheel in between those numbers and the arrow? Or am i only looking at the numbers and arrow for a change in position?

 

[67rstbkt]

So is there a notch or something on the wheel in between those numbers and the arrow? Or am i only looking at the numbers and arrow for a change in position?

I can see it clear as day in the pic you posted. Make a mark with some white paint on the pointer that protrudes from tyhe timing cover and make a white mark on the number zero. Here's a little video explaining how to do it:

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


If you have a timing gun with an adjustable dial, set the gun to the point that you want - for example 12*, then all you will need to do is hook it up to your car and adjust the distributor until you see your white mark (that you made) at zero. If you do not have an adjustable timing light, you will move your distributor until you move away from the zero mark the desired amount. If you want 12*, you may be better off making a mark at 12* on your car rather than zero (if you do not have an adjustable timing light).

 

[AlanB]

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.

So is there a notch or something on the wheel in between those numbers and the arrow? Or am i only looking at the numbers and arrow for a change in position?

Yes, there is a notch on the balancer, which is the wheel between those numbers and the arrow. The arrows and numbers do not move. The one side shows timing marks every 4 degrees, 0,4,8,12,16, etc. Since the timing setting on your car is 15 degrees before top dead center (BTDC), Buick decided to add an arrow on the other side of the balancer which points exactly to 15. So you have an arrow with 12 and 16 on one side and an arrow with 15 on the other side. When you shine the light, you should see the notch being illuminated by the timing light. It is the notch on the balancer that moves as you adjust the timing. The numbers and arrows do not move. Go back and watch the videos and this should become clear. If you are not seeing the notch on the balancer when you shine the light then you are probably not in base time. Base time should be obvious because the idle will be low.

 

[Mr. 81]

Yes, there is a notch on the balancer, which is the wheel between those numbers and the arrow. The arrows and numbers do not move. The one side shows timing marks every 4 degrees, 0,4,8,12,16, etc. Since the timing setting on your car is 15 degrees before top dead center (BTDC), Buick decided to add an arrow on the other side of the balancer which points exactly to 15. So you have an arrow with 12 and 16 on one side and an arrow with 15 on the other side. When you shine the light, you should see the notch being illuminated by the timing light. It is the notch on the balancer that moves as you adjust the timing. The numbers and arrows do not move. Go back and watch the videos and this should become clear. If you are not seeing the notch on the balancer when you shine the light then you are probably not in base time. Base time should be obvious because the idle will be low.

Thanks for the clarification. I'll get out there tomorrow hopefully. I'm going to clean up the balancer and find the notch to mark it with some paint. The timing light is an old, dim one so I need to check if autozone loans them out. Thanks for the help!

 

[Mr. 81]

OK! I finally got it done! I set the timing to 12 degrees, but when I reconnected the four wire connector, the timing wasn't a steady 12 anymore. I was kind of jumping back and forth between 12 and 15 degrees. Is this normal?

 

[AlanB]

OK! I finally got it done! I set the timing to 12 degrees, but when I reconnected the four wire connector, the timing wasn't a steady 12 anymore. I was kind of jumping back and forth between 12 and 15 degrees. Is this normal?

Yes, that is normal. Once you plug in the computer the timing will change and the idle should return to normal.

 

[Mr. 81]

OK! I finally got it done! I set the timing to 12 degrees, but when I reconnected the four wire connector, the timing wasn't a steady 12 anymore. I was kind of jumping back and forth between 12 and 15 degrees. Is this normal?

Yes, that is normal. Once you plug in the computer the timing will change and the idle should return to normal.

Thanks again , AlanB.