To advance the timing on my 94 4.3 win w, do you turn the distributor clockwise or counter clockwise?

 

Best to disconnect the EST wire, passenger side under the dash, behind the top edge of the carpet. Then use a timing light.

 

Trust the Cap'n on this one. I just set the timing on my '94 4.3 W motor. A timing light allows you to do it precisely and easily. Disconnect the EST wire as described above and proceed.

Here's a tip: the big notch on the timing plate is 0°. That's where you want to set the timing on this particular motor. The computer will adjust everything from there.

 

Thanks guys, I already did so with the timing light, set it to 0 degrees. I just wanted to advance it a few degrees to get a little more pep out of it, could not remember with way to turn the distributor. All my other vehicles have a timing tab with more than one notch

 

More advance won't gain you anything, and it may make it run worse. The PCM is programmed for maximum advance without spark knock. If/when the knock sensor detects spark knock, it will remove what ever you add above base time. When you disconnect the EST, (Electronic Spark Timing) wire, the PCM is not able to control ignition timing, advance or retard. That's why base time is adjusted with the wire unplugged. If you leave it unplugged, timing will remain where you set it, all the time. The EST wire goes from the PCM to the ignition module. The PCM modifies the timing pulse and sends it to the ignition module, which in turn fires the ignition coil.

 

run it at 0, it has about a 3 degree tolerance. Advancing it wont do any good because it is computer controlled. It would only help if you had a custom tune that called for base timing set differently. As far as which way to turn it just trail and error, shoot timing, turn dist., shoot timing again and compare. Typically more advance seems "smoother" and retarded timing runs "harder" if you want to try by ear.

 

Thanks guys, right right and all right. I messed with it a little, and guess what.....back at 0 degrees. I think it had some more pep a few degrees advanced, but it idled like total crap misfireing either advanced or retarded, so 0 degrees it is . I keep have to reminding myself it is a 175,000 mile Blazer, not gonna run like new.