DeTomaso Mailing List: July 2001, Message #54

I have no idea what the condition of the engine in your car is, nor do I
know where the timing on mine is set at in terms of numbers.  What I've
found is if  I set the INITIAL advance to the point where the car kicks back
against the starter a little on a hot start, I'll get a little pinging on
regular gas at MAXIMUM advance, when the centrifugal advance is maxed out.

So, in my case, the hot start condition is the limiting factor, since I
could combat the fully advanced pinging condition by stepping up to premium
gas.

Alternatively, and as a rule of thumb, 10 degrees initial + 20 degrees of
centrifugal advance = 30 degrees total at speed, I'd use these as a starting
point, but I cannot really check numerically on my own car since the
vibration damper has spun around the rubber a bit.

So, I'd recommend finding the maximum initial advance that both allows a hot
start and doesn't ping at speed.  Plus you're not a man if you haven't
driven down the freeway sitting on the floor with the belts whizzing around
at your elbow......stopping periodically to change the timing.

Guy D.

----- Original Message -----
From: Matthew Pendergast <buzzsaww@wcox.com>
To: Multiple recipients of list <detomaso@realbig.com>
Sent: Friday, June 29, 2001 7:22 AM
Subject: timing


> i borrowed a timing light last night. set the timing to the recommended
6deg, now the damn car is hell to start and idles like crap! I'm at 8500ft.
Does that have something to do with it? suggetions? stop f**king with the
car? LOL
> matt
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