I have this timing gun, and a friend who moved is the first person who used it, and even then I think the instructions werent in the box...

 

So I'm trying to figure out exactly how to use this thing to get my car running as good as possible.

 

So far I've figured out:

Inductive handle thing over the #1 spark plug wire

Ground and power on the battery

Pointing at the timing marks while pulling trigger

How to read it.

 

What is still unclear - The gun has a knob with degrees on the back of it. And heres what I'm thinking/but not sure of

- When set to 9 degrees (isn't that right for stock soob) it should read 0 on the timing marks -

OR

- Set to 0 on the gun its spose to read 9 on the marks...

 

Now that I've typed it out I'm pretty sure the later is incorrect - but is the first guess right?

 

I turned the disty a bit and it wouldnt run - so I knew I was close to begin with (running like crap, but running) - then went back/forth a few times to get it running again, and it seems to be running a little better than before. (and is slightly closer to zero if I remember correctly)

 

So any tips? - sorry for the long post

 

- Erik Hosa - Tacoma, WA -

That's my understanding of how it works. I assume the knob on the gun is for cars with a mark just at TDC. Mine doesn't have that at all. I think the stock setting is 8, but you can usually go to 10-12 without any problems.

Thanks man - trying to make sure that its a headgasket thats blown, and not my timing thats off before I go tearing into this engine. Tomorrow I shall check on this when I get home - as my mom said (actually screamed) at the garage door "ERIK!! ITS AFTER 12 IN THE ****ING MORNING AND THAT THING IS SO ****'ING LOUD!!....... CHRIST!" ::door slams shut::

 

Hey, I figure I dream about revving subarus at night, so should others - I'm just giving some "inspiration"

 

- Erik Hosa - Tacoma, WA -

I always enjoyed working on my soob in my parents garage too. Well, maybe enjoyed isn't quite the right word;) .

so bear with me, it's been awhile since I've played with one.

 

I do believe the knob on the timing gun is used to check on things like total mechanical advance and total vacuum advance.

 

You'll want the knob set on zero to set the timing on your engine.