[jasonbabal]

I have to pull the distributor and will need to reset the timing. My area of knowledge is small block Chevy engines and I don't want to mess this up.

Where do they like initial timing, 10-12 degrees? I haven't opened it up, but it seems to be a stock engine, with the exception of headers.

[PontGuy]

10-12 degrees is a good starting point. It would probably like just a bit more, but only if the CR/cam combination and centrifugal advance curve are optimized for today's gas. Lots of discussion on this over the years in the street section.

[johnta1]

Just remember that the Pontiac rotates counter-clockwise.
So when routing the sparkplug wires go CC.

[johnta1]

Just read your other post.

If you are just moving the rotor, before you pull it, rotate engine to #1 firing at the 10º mark (or where ever).

That way the engine will be on #1, you can then put the distributor wherever you want. Where the rotor is when reinstalled, it will be pointing at the new #1 post.

Also watch the rotor when you pull distributor, it will rotate a small amount.
You need to account for it moving back the same amount after you rotate it.
Also the oil pump shaft will need to be rotated to let the distributor line up where you want.

[rexs73gto]

The factory says to put it at 6 degrees BTDC for most all the engines , but putting it there will let it run but Pontiac & GM always does the timing so the car will run at it's safest point. most all of my engines have always been between 10-14 degrees BTDC. with a total of between 32-36 degrees total advance around the 3500 rpm mark. Also when you pull your dist. out the oil pump push rod will probably drift a little, so when you go to put the dist. back in you may have to turn the oil pump push rod back or forward a little to get it back to where it should be. If you have to turn the oil pump push rod you can use a long flat screwdriver to turn it as it will turn easily. When you put the dist. back in you should ALWAY put it back in where Pontiac put number 1 at. It will run anywhere you wire number 1 up at ,,,, but Pontiac put number 1 in that spot for a reason. I really don't know what that reason is but I know that some of the Pontiac engines I've worked on over the years (maybe 3000+) the ones that were not wired at the Pontiac number 1 place have always run just a bit off & not to there potential. I have always put them back to cure that problem. I know some will say mine runs great & I don't have it wired like Pontiac has it, but from experience the engine will run better if wired the correct way. Plus some will say it's just to make them all the same,, but thats not the only reason & over the years I've proved it to be so. Number 1 should be the 2nd post past the window on the cap counter clockwise & it should be pointing at the last bolt on the intake on the left side. Pontiac put it there for a reason & for me it will always be there. Just makes it a lot easier that way to. But back to the original question, start between 6-10 degrees BTDC & tune it where it runs best. If you have a vacuum gauge adjust both the timing & your carb to have the highest vacuum reading & you'll be fine.

[jasonbabal]

I went in for a few hours this morning.
Brought it to 10deg and pulled the distributor. I now have it where Pontiac said #1 should be(relatively speaking since it's an HEI). Fired right but was giving me some trouble idling.

Still a success overall and the wires I build are perfect.

Pardon the mess, its neither clean or completely done

Thank you guys