My Pinto (2.3) powered custom car had its thermostat jam shut a week past. Got home okay and as well as replacing the thermostat i thought it would be good to renew the water pump and the timing belt when I was in there.

The crankshaft 3 belt pulley is marked from 30 degrees btc and 10 degrees atc as well as top dead center. My manual doesn't state what the ignition timing should be. As stated it has a 2.3 motor in and has the electronic ignition distributor.

What should the timing be set at and at what rpm? Valve timing set correctly and I have the distributor positioned correctly at # 1 cylinder tdc. I have a timing gun to do this.

Thanks for your assistance in advance.  Fred

My 78 Pinto 2.3 has it's original sticker on the valve cover. Timing should be set to 6 degrees Before Top Dead Center. Idle is variable based on Air cond or not, Automatic or not, and altitude. At last smog test my car idled at 925 rpm. Hope that helps!

Chuck :afro:

It is an automatic, no ac, and it doesn't need a smog test because as it is a custom car it is not required. Registered as a 1986 as well.

thanks.

Thanks to the couple of guys who replied.

I set the timing with the centrifugal tube on the distributor disconnected, at 6 degrees BTC. Although it idled very nice, it was a bit sluggish. I advanced it a few degress and seems better. I will experiment some more.

Please read my next posting on carb jets.

Thanks   Fred