timing

[Scott Elder]

OK this is probably going to sound stupid but where do I adjust the timing?
I've found the timing mark and it's running just under the factory 10 degrees
ATDC but seeing as how the only car I've changed the timing on was an escort
which had a distributor cap, where do I adjust it?

Scott.

[Gary Morrison]

Scott,

Open the diagnostics connector - black box on passenger side of engine bay.
Look on inside of open lid for diagram. You short TEN (Test ENgine) to Gnd.
Use an opened paper clip. Don't get Gnd and +Ve instead - I did, and the
paperclip will tattoo your fingertips, and it hurts. You then losen off the
cam angle sensor at the rear of the cam cover on the drivers side. Its held by
one 12mm bolt, you need the right spanner to get in behind there. Hook up your
timing light (off #1 spark lead - get the +12 power from the blue connector
over on the same side as the diagnostics) and shoot at the front of the crank
pulley down in front of the engine. You should be at about 10 degrees if its
set as per factory. Rotate the sensor until the timing has moved to 14 or 18
deg. (2 deg per division). Also adjust the idle bypass screw to the side of
throttle body ( has a flat black rubber cap over it) to keep your idle at 850
rpm. There will be some interaction. When finished screw down the 12mm bolt.
Remove paperclip and timing light.

If you have a free flow exhaust and are OK with the extra cost of 96 octane 18
deg will work best, otherwise with stock exhaust and tighter wallet use 14 and
91 octane.

Gary