retarding timing......

[lucky03602]

ok i forgot where i read it but i believe it said that depending on your motor and where it was produced that you may be able to increase/retard timing and may be able to make a little bit of hp and/or trq. well i own a 1990 stock 240 with the single cam and the only performance mod i got is a k+n box filter. is what i read true and if so roughly does anyone know how much to increase/retard to gain?i have searched and all i came up with is retarding with boost, well i have no boost so none of it helped me at all:)

[crzycav86]

If you want to get a few extra hp NA, you'll want to ADVANCE the timing, not retard it.

On the ka24de, theres two bolts that you loosen where the distributor mounts to the upper timing chain cover. When you loosen these bolts, you can rotate the distributor to advance/retard the timing. It's really easy. I don't know if there are significant differences with the single cam though..

Only advance the timing up to 2-3 degrees, and you'll have to run 93 octane from now on. Does it still sound appealing?

Also, if you really wanna get more power out of your ka, get a decent tune-up(unless it has already been done)

[e_c]

yes, ka-e uses the same technique for advancing/retarding the timing... to advance you turn it clockwise

[s13EastTN]

Yes, you *turn the distributor clockwise*

So the bolt/screw will be closer to the left.

[lucky03602]

well i already run 93 octane so thats no biggie, but about how far clockwise is roughly 2-3 degrees?also i havent done a tune up yet but im doing one asap and getting the timing chain done too (dont know last time it was done)

[virus77]

You should use a timing light for advacning or retarding timing, you cant really do it buy just turning it a little.

[benemorius]

Ditto on the timing light. How far you can advance yours will be specific to your engine and the fuel you put in it. I imagine if you try typing "timing advance" in the search rather than retard you should get the information you're looking for. 2-3 degrees has always sounded low to me, but that's just my limited opinion. I've seen a KAE take as much as 10-15 degrees of advance on 93 octane, though that engine always has and still does run screwy. If your engine starts pinging under load, back it off. Otherwise push on if you feel like it. That's my view.

As for whether it does any good - I NEVER notice any differences in engine power. It's like I'm immune. I don't even notice any lack of power with the ac on. Due to that I cannot say that I felt a difference after advancing my timing. However, my friend who test-rode in the passenger seat said it felt like it accelerated more smoothly, and may have had more power, but that he may be imagining the power part.

[lucky03602]

ok so good note on the advance timing for search part, ill try that and i dont think advanceing my timing will be something ill be doing now, but thank you!