I have a 2000 blazer 4x4 2dr 4.3L and I have searched all over the forum and can't find anything that can tell me what the timing should be for this engine.
My scanner shows the timing at around 19 degrees while idling, and while I
have a timing light attached to cylinder no. 1 the mark on the dampener is actually about 2 inches to the left of the timing tab mark on the block at idle, should it be this far off?? I have checked for vacuum leaks and has 22 inches of vacuum at idle. thanks in advance for any responses!!!!

 

bump.

 

has anybody found anything thing yet, cause i'm still searching and haven't found anything close about what the base timing should be.

 

The reason why you are not going to find that information is because is it highly dependent on the conditions and the vehicle.

My old scans on my '00 Bravada showed anywhere from 15 to 22 degrees advance during hot idle.

You cannot use a timing light on these engines without first installing a scale on the balancer and a pointer on the engine block. The pointer would need to be adjusted for true TDC #1 at 0*.

 

okay thanks!! so i guess the tang with the notch in it on the block just above the harmonic balancer is just there for alignment of the no. 1 cylinder tdc??

 

Well, not really... Check out the EDI Engine Timing thread in the Tech Article (DIY) section to see how those marks get used. It actually doesn't line up the distributor on exactly TDC #1.

 

I'm not sure about 2nd gen 4.3's, but check your manufacturer sticker near where the spark plug gap specs are. It might require that you put the distributor in bypass mode in order to get a correct reading on timing.

 

Timing is fixed on the 2nd gens. Completely computer controlled. No adjustment.