20r Ignition Timing

[H8PVMNT]

Where are you guys setting your base timing in a 20r? My '80 has a hood swapped and I don't have the sticker. I set it at 12 degrees with the vacuum advance disconnected last night and it seems to idle real good, but I only have experience tuning the 22re so I'm not sure where to start.

 

[toy4xfun]

the manual says o tdc. but i am sure there are some that now more than i do.

 

[H8PVMNT]

Hey I found the idle mixture screw... it's cool!

 

[liljlandon]

lol, there is a only FSM for the 22rs, which is going to be better than nothing. you can tune it best by a vacuum gauge, although i dont know the right specs of the top of my head.

this will help for timing and carb adjustments with a vac gauge

18"-21" with at a smooth idle is about right for most engines

check out the attachment for a bit more on what to look for - just about the quickest way to diagnose a mechanical issue if you know what you're looking at (I have one mounted next to my instrument cluster)

 

[toy4xfun]

o.k. what does vacuum got to do with timing. you know when i timed carburetor cars i went buy ear. they wer older cars but i always timed them buy ear and feel. they include 1970 valiant 1972dart 1969 polera and 1969 charger. and there were many more. and vacuum was another monster. liljlandon this is for you you are 18 years old have you ever worked on a vehicle that uses the vacuum for heater controls. vacuum is made buy the suction of the pistons do you even understand how a 4 stroke engine works.

 

[WristPin]

o.k. what does vacuum got to do with timing. you know when i timed carburetor cars i went buy ear. they wer older cars but i always timed them buy ear and feel. they include 1970 valiant 1972dart 1969 polera and 1969 charger. and there were many more. and vacuum was another monster. liljlandon this is for you you are 18 years old have you ever worked on a vehicle that uses the vacuum for heater controls. vacuum is made buy the suction of the pistons do you even understand how a 4 stroke engine works.

dont be a dick! timing has a s*** ton to with vacuum. go back to Lincoln logs, ass!

 

[liljlandon]

o.k. what does vacuum got to do with timing. you know when i timed carburetor cars i went buy ear. they wer older cars but i always timed them buy ear and feel. they include 1970 valiant 1972dart 1969 polera and 1969 charger. and there were many more. and vacuum was another monster. liljlandon this is for you you are 18 years old have you ever worked on a vehicle that uses the vacuum for heater controls. vacuum is made buy the suction of the pistons do you even understand how a 4 stroke engine works.

You can almost always tune a vehicle from vacuum...

Read the PDF it explains how timing effects vacuum.

I refuse to time by ear, do to the fact that Im YOUNG and have not heard enough vehicles to understand the differences in the timing settings,
sure i can hear when its NOT timed right, and i can hear when its close, but I have always been one for perfection, and sometimes a timing light doesnt offer that.

 

[toy4xfun]

i have not tried to time my 84 by ear, it has a 22re computer and all, so i use my light on it.but the older cars and trucks were easy. and you set your timing, then go to your tach and dwell, the only time i have ever even checked my vacuum is if i thought that a vacuum leak could be causing a miss. and before i do that i go over the vacuum lines with an unlit propane torch.

 

[H8PVMNT]

That's my problem as well. I am very familiar with the 22re EFI but I am breaking new ground tuning the old carb truck. I've been working with the timing light, by ear and test driving... I must be doing it somewhat right though because yesterday the truck pulled a hill at 72 mph that it used to pull at only 55 mph! It fires right up with just a turn of the key too.

The idle mixture screw seems to back itself out after a trip to town though, should I put a little thread locker on it? It has that spring pushing on it and it's covered in oil, so you can just about turn it with your fingers.