123 Distributor / Setting timing Options

[rjames]

For those that have a 123 Distributor, I need some help setting my timing. I'm probably over thinking all of this but I've read several different threads on setting the timing with this distributor and I have interpreted them all differently.

I'm running a stock 2.0 w/ DJet.
The 123 distributor setting I'm using is 'B' (negative advance), and has a max advance of 22 @ 2700 RPM.

With my new-school timing light that allows me to set the advance, (with vacuum line from the tb plugged) do I:

- Set timing light to 27 advance and rev to 3500 RPM and time to the TDC mark?
- Set timing light to 0 advance and rev to 3500 RPM and time to 27 degree mark (same as above, right?)
- Set timing light to 22 advance and rev to 2700 RPM and time to TDC mark?
- Something else? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

I feel like an idiot asking this question. Timing is such a basic thing and I had no problem with the stock distributor and an old school timing light, but I've read more than one thread on how to time with the 123 distributor, plus I've also read that there's 10 degrees advance added at static on these distributors.
Help!

[rjames]

Thanks Phil. I’ve read that thread several times.
The way you described is how I timed it and I’m also using ‘B’ setting on the dist.
I revisited my timing because I’m also trying to address a high idle and thought maybe I had the timing too advanced. My idle is at 1100 and it bugs me. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
I’ve already chased down all vacuum leaks (yes I’m sure- there’s a whole other thread I posted on that a while back).

The only way I can bring the idle down is by adjusting the MPS to over-richen the mixture to 10-10.5 AFR, which is way too rich. If I lean it out to anywhere from 12-14 the idle goes back up to 1100-1200rpm. Otherwise the car runs great and my part-load and WOT AFR #s are good.

I know some have had a higher idle after installing the 123, but there are also others who haven’t.

@drphil914