okay so my 86 GL-10 turbo sedan pings to high heaven unless I granny it (especially bad under boost) and it runs a little on the hot side (210), I suspected the ignition timing so I hooked up my timing light and I see NO timing marks, rotated the dizzy back and forth and it wanted to die one way, and it was against the bolt teh other way, pulled the bolt out and rotated it to see if it got any better that way, still no luck. I suspect I have the dizzy in 180 degrees out, but I'm not 100% sure. I remember when I did the timing on my 87 Turbowagon I had to connect two connectors on the firewall, but I don't know where they are on the 86 and I can't find my manual and there is nothing in the USRM...

I don't think there is any way the engine would run if the disty was 180 out. You may be a tooth off on the disty though. Have you tried lining up number one cylinder to TDC on the compression stroke and see where the rotor is pointing to then?

The 2 connecters may be near the ecu under the steering column...they are green..

some soobi mechs say this does not make a difference when timing..others say it does..when i do my 82t timing i always connect them...then disconect when done...anyone else have some input on the connecter mystery?

The connectors are usually under the dash as was mentioned or about in the same area under the hood or bonnet as the mates down under may call it.

sounds like it's advanced too far.

 

Whether the connectors are plugged in shouldn't make THAT much difference. I noticed no diffference at all with my Loyale.

 

Paint a white mark on the flywheel at the desired position with whiteout or something bright to make sure you can see it easily. If you still can't see it, there's definitely something wrong - sorry about this one, but are you sure you have the right plug wire? if so, start from scratch and check everything about the timing.

It's the passenger side front cylinder I was using as #1... I'm gonna go out there today and mess with it, I remember when the turbowagon did this I had it a tooth off so I'm hoping that is the case. As for it not running with it 180 out, I had the dizzy in 180 off on my old Datsun I had in high school, it ran, just didn't run well

so you're finally tryin to get that pile back on the road eh? About friggin time:D

It sounds like you have the correct cylinder. The rotor turns counterclockwise I believe.

and of course, to set the disty timing like I usually do...

pull the disty

pull the #1 sparkplug until its almost all the way out

turn the crank over, listening for the compression hissing from the #1 cylinder

if you don't see any timing marks when the hissing stops, keep going until the hissing starts again, then look for the timing marks, set to 20* BTDC

line up the disty so when you drop it in, the rotor is facing the #1 plug wire

put the disty cap on, put the plug wires on, tighten the #1 sparkplug and see if she starts up.

well I popped teh cap off and checked it yesterday, turns out I was a tooth off, re-set the dizzy, static timed it to 20 degrees, and then fired it up and busted out the timing light, got it set at 25 like it's supposed to be, runs like a champ now :-) (And will outrun a 99 Civic )

When I did the timing on my 93 loyale I checked the timing with and without the green connectors connected. With them connected its at 20. With them disconnected its at about 23 or 24.

well I popped teh cap off and checked it yesterday, turns out I was a tooth off, re-set the dizzy, static timed it to 20 degrees, and then fired it up and busted out the timing light, got it set at 25 like it's supposed to be, runs like a champ now :-) (And will outrun a 99 Civic )

 

Good deal. Thanks for the feedback.

As an addendum...

 

The GREEN connectors will keep the ECU from adjusting the timing while they are connected. If timing without connecting the green connectors, it might be a crap-shoot as to what the ECU will be trying to do with the timing. Just conect the connectors and eliminate the possible variation and uncertainty.

 

Oh, and remember to disconnect then when you are through.