1985 13B ignition timing confusion
 

I hope my first technical question isn't too bizarre. I have 1985 GSL-SE that I can't get the ignition timing to work right. As far as I know, it's totally factory stock.

It died and wouldn't start. I plugged in the Radio Shack LED and saw the error for trailing spark failure, and eventually did the light and switch test described in the manual for the trailing side igniter and it tested bad.

I removed the distributor and replaced the igniter module and now it starts and runs, but I can't get the timing right and I don't know if I'm missing something or something is broken.

With the timing light on the lower front plug wire and the strobe lighting the leading mark on the pulley, the engine misfires and will only drive slowly and without a lot of power. If I twist the distributor to about 15-20 degrees advanced, it smooths out and runs pretty well.

I also replaced the distributor cap and rotor. I've triple checked the high-tension wiring and the wires are all connected right according to the labels on the cap. I also had both coils out while troubleshooting and don't think I reconnected the coil wires wrong because the tachometer wire is still on the front coil. The igniter module connectors must be on right because the harness looks right.

I never timed the ignition on this car before now, so I don't know if this strange situation was present before now. I can't think of anything that would do this except for the front pulley being out of position, but I don't see anything in the manual about installing the pulley, so I assume it's not possible that someone before me put it on wrong. My only other guess is that I have mixed up the leading and trailing wiring, but while I was writing this, I've checked it all for the 4th time now.

Does anyone have any ideas?

I have a 1988 halve bridge turbo, I need a good combination for my timming too?

So your car was running fine, you developed a no-start condition. Now it starts but won't run well. Since you removed the distributor as part of the repair I would double check that you put it back correctly. I haven't worked on a 1st gen so I don't know if they can only be put in one way or not. If there is a mechanical advance mechanism, i.e. weights and springs in the bottom of the distributor I would check those too. When you rev engine does the timing appear to advance correctly?

There should be procedures on this site if you search for finding the TDC position for the leading rotor so you can make sure the engine, pulley and dist all are in sync.

sounds like when u went back in with the distributor, u got it a tooth off. which direction i'm not sure, but if u pull it back cut not all the way out so u can turn the shaft one tooth one way or the other and find which runs the best. correct timing should be where the clamping bolt is around center of that arched adjusting slot.