Okay, so I've got the timing light hooked up, the vacuum advance hose plugged, and the engine started. I shine the timing light down there and it reads 10 degrees to the left of TDC (I guess that would be 10 degrees retarded). I have the only bolt I can see that looks like it holds the dizzy in place loosened (it is attached to a small piece of metal that looks like it clamps it in), and when I turn the dizzy, the timing changes, but it won't stay in place (the dizzy moves back to its original position). Two questions:

1. How can I get it so that the dizzy stays where I put it?
2. What should I put the timing at?

It is a 200 I6 motor, and there are options of 0 (TDC), 3, 6, 10, and 14 degrees (only to the left of TDC...no markings to the right).

I'm going to go eat lunch and I'll check back in in about 20 minutes. I EXPECT RESULTS PEOPLE! lol, j/k, but help please!

Thanks.

 

Tighten the dizzy bolt back down to where you can still turn the dizzy, but with some difficulty so that it stays where you put it. The timing on the I6 200 is 6 degrees BTC on a manual tranny, and 10 degrees BTC with an automatic.

 

Tighten the dizzy bolt after you have moved it a small amount. I usually loosen the bolt, adjust the dizzy, tighten bolt, then start the engine and read the timing. If off the mark then shut off engine and repeat process moving dizzy in direction to advance to timing mark. Mine is set at 3 on the mark. Hope you had a good lunch!!!

 

Okay, I got it to 6 degrees. Sounds better than before. I got all my exhaust holes plugged, rebuilt the shifter with that kit you told me about Cogtx THANK YOU. It is AWESOME now. Really tight and no play, I like it. Timing is good so now I need to take her for a spin...after I post my next question, lol.

 

You don't need to shut off the engine. As soaring said, only undo the dizzy bolt enough so that you can tunrn the dizzy but it stays in position. Its really not hard at all. After you ahve done the timing, you will often need to readjust the idle. I usually adjust the points gap aswell.
In order:
1 - Points gap
2 - Timing (plugged vac advance)
3 - Idle (with Vac reconnected)
4 -check points gap again
5 - Timing (plugged vac advance)
6 - Idle
Finished.
All to be done with the car at operating temp.