is there a way to set the base timing w/o a timing light?

[1990AWD]

as the title says, how do you set the base timing on my '90 Talon AWD without using a timing light as I don't have one. I have just finished installing a new head and timing belt and the car turns over good but won't fire. I'm assuming its not firing because I never set the timing, because again, I don't have a timing light. thanks.

 

[JayRolla]

If you did the timing belt correctly the timing should be close enough to still fire. Even at negative 2* all the way up to 15* the car will still run. I would double and then triple check the timing marks again. If you dont have a timing light you can roughly use a logger but if you dont set it correctly you can be loosing lots of power or worse you could be causing lots of detonation.

 

[92_talonGsXt]

I usually set the timing at TDC and then turn the cas until it is on the notch marking,works great on my car

 

[1990AWD]

If you did the timing belt correctly the timing should be close enough to still fire. Even at negative 2* all the way up to 15* the car will still run. I would double and then triple check the timing marks again. If you dont have a timing light you can roughly use a logger but if you dont set it correctly you can be loosing lots of power or worse you could be causing lots of detonation.

well what I did was I looked at the position of the CAS on my other car (that runs) and put it at that setting. The car started but wasn't running 100% so while it was running I adjusted the CAS as well as I could but I still think it could use some more accurate tuning.

 

[steve]

how do you set the base timing on my '90 Talon AWD without using a timing light as I don't have one.

You don't. You need a timing light to set the CAS.

If the belt is done correctly and the CAS is installed correctly, setting it to the middle of it's range should allow you to start the car and set it with a timing light.

If it doesn't start the odds are good you have other problems.

 

[Scuba_Steve]

Cant you borrow a timing light from auto zone, or advanced auto for a deposit? There has gotta be a place in Canada that does the same...

 

[1990AWD]

I just bought a timing light and I will try to search up how to use it

 

[black92_tsi_awd]

Make sure the CAS isn't 180 degrees out. See the alignment marks RRE Instructions