Revised Ignition Timing Procedure/Specification (STB-87-08-001)

Publication date: 1987-03-01
Reference number: STB-87-08-001

REVISED IGNITION TIMING PROCEDURE/SPECIFICATION

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN

Reference Number(s): STB-87-08-001, Date of Issue: March, 1987

IGNITION TIMING REVISED SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES

Models: 1987 Galant, Mirage, Montero, Starion & Truck

Bulletin No.: STB-87-08-001

Date: March, 1987

PURPOSE

This bulletin contains revised ignition timing specifications and procedures for both low-altitude and high-altitude 1987-model Galant, Mirage, Montero, Starion and Truck.

1987 GALANT IGNITION TIMING ADJUSTMENT

Adjustment conditions:

Coolant temperature: 85-95°C (185-205°F)

Lights and all accessories: OFF

Transaxle: N (Neutral)

Set Parking Brake

Connect timing light.
Insert a paper clip in the connector (1 pin) of the harness and connect the rpm gauge.
CAUTION: The connector contact should not be separated.

CAUTION: The paper clip should be inserted along the terminal surface (see Fig 1 .).

CAUTION: The paper clip should be inserted at the correct side. If it is inserted incorrectly, the paper clip may become caught and cannot be removed. For male pin: Insert to the lock tab side. For female pin: Insert to the side opposite the lock tab side (see Fig 2 ).

Fig 1: RPM Gauge Connections (Galant)

Fig 2: Paper Clip Installation (Galant)
Start engine and run at curb idle speed.
Curb idle speed: 750 +/- 100 rpm.
When checking the basic ignition timing, stop the engine and disconnect the water-proof female connector from the ignition timing adjusting connector. Connect a lead wire with an alligator clip to the ignition timing adjusting terminal to ground it (see Fig. 3).

Fig 3: Grounding Ignition Timing Adjustment Terminal (Galant)
Check basic ignition timing and adjust if necessary. Basic ignition timing: 5° +/- 2° BTDC.
To adjust ignition timing, loosen distributor mounting nut and turn distributor housing.
After adjustment, securely tighten mounting nut.
Return the ignition timing adjusting terminal grounded in Step 4 to the original condition. Then restart the engine to make sure that the ignition timing has been advanced to the actual ignition timing (see Fig 4 ).
Actual ignition timing: 8° BTDC.

Fig 4: Adjusting Ignition Timing (Galant)

NOTE: At high altitude, the further advanced value (13° BTDC at maximum) is shown. There is no problem even if fluctuation in ignition timing occurs.

1987 MIRAGE 1.5L IGNITION TIMING ADJUSTMENT

Adjustment conditions:

Coolant temperature: 85-95°C (185-205°F)

Lamps and all accessories: OFF

Transaxle: N (Neutral)

Steering Wheel: Straight forward position (Vehicle with power steering)

Set Parking Brake

Connect tachometer and timing light.

Start engine and run at curb idle speed.

CURB IDLE SPEED RPM (MIRAGE 1.5L)

MILES	TRANS	CURB IDLE SPEED RPM
First 500 km (300 mile)	M/T	650 +150/-100
"	A/T	700 +150/-100
After 500 km (300 mile)	M/T	700 +/- 100
"	A/T	750 +/- 100

When checking the basic ignition timing at high altitude [altitude of 1200 m (3900 ft.) or more], disconnect the vacuum hose (yellow stripe) from the sub-vacuum chamber of the distributor and plug the hose end (see Fig 5 ).

Fig 5: Sub-Vacuum Chamber Hose (Mirage 1.5L)
Check basic ignition timing and adjust if necessary.
Basic ignition timing: 5° +/- 2° BTDC
To adjust ignition timing, loosen distributor mounting nut and turn distributor housing.
After adjustment, securely tighten mounting nut (see Fig 6 ).

Fig 6: Adjusting Ignition Timing (Mirage 1.5L)
When checking ignition timing at high altitude, connect the vacuum hose disconnected in Step 3 to the original position before making sure that the ignition timing has been advanced to the actual ignition timing.
Actual ignition timing: 10° BTDC

1987 MIRAGE 1.6L IGNITION TIMING ADJUSTMENT

Adjustment conditions:

Coolant temperature: 85-95°C (185-205°F)

Lamps and all accessories: OFF

Transaxle: N (Neutral)

Set Parking Brake

Connect tachometer and timing light.
Start engine and run at curb idle speed. Curb idle speed: 700 +/- 100 rpm
When checking the basic ignition timing at high altitude [altitude of 1200 m (3900 ft.) or more], stop the engine and disconnect the water-proof female connector from the ignition timing connector. Connect a lead wire with an alligator clip to the ignition timing adjusting terminal to ground it (see Fig 7 ).

Fig 7: Ignition Timing Connector Location (Mirage 1.6L)

NOTE: Some early-production 1987 Mirage turbos were not equipped with the Ignition Timing Adjusting Terminal described in Step 3. When adjusting ignition timing at high altitude on these cars, disconnect and plug the distributor vacuum line (white stripe) before setting the timing to the value given below in Step 4.
Check basic ignition timing and adjust if necessary. Basic ignition timing: 10° +/- 2° BTDC
To adjust ignition timing, loosen distributor mounting nut and turn distributor housing.
After adjustment, securely tighten mounting nut (see Fig 8 ).

Fig 8: Distributor Mounting Nut (Mirage 1.6L)
When checking ignition timing at high altitude, stop the engine and return the ignition timing adjusting terminal grounded in Step 3 to the original condition. Then, restart the engine to make sure that the ignition timing has been advanced to the actual ignition timing.

Actual ignition timing: 15° BTDC

NOTE: After adjusting ignition timing at high altitude on early models without the Ignition Timing Adjusting Terminal, unplug and re-connect the distributor vacuum line before re-testing for actual ignition timing.

1987 MONTERO 2.6L IGNITION TIMING ADJUSTMENT

Adjustment conditions:

Coolant temperature: 85-95°C (185-205°F)

Lamps and all accessories: OFF

Transmission: N (Neutral)

Set Parking Brake

Connect tachometer and timing light.

Start engine and run at curb idle speed.

CURB IDLE SPEED RPM (MONTERO)

MILES	CURB IDLE SPEED RPM
First 500 km (300 mile)	725 +150/-100
After 500 km (300 mile)	800 +/- 100

When checking the basic ignition timing at high altitude [altitude of 1200 m (3900 ft.) or more], disconnect the vacuum hose (white stripe) from the sub-vacuum chamber of the distributor and plug the hose end (see Fig 9 ). Cars for 50 states and high altitude cars for 49 states excluding California.

Fig 9: Sub-Vacuum Chamber Hose (Montero)
Check basic ignition timing and adjust if necessary. Basic ignition timing: 7° +/- 2° BTDC
To adjust ignition timing, loosen distributor mounting nut and turn distributor housing.
After adjustment, securely tighten mounting nut (see Fig 10 ).

Fig 10: Distributor Mounting Nut (Montero)

1987 STARION IGNITION TIMING ADJUSTMENT

Adjustment conditions:

Coolant temperature: 85-95°C (185-205°F)

Lamps and all accessories: OFF

Transmission: N (Neutral)

Set Parking Brake

Connect tachometer and timing light.
Start engine and run at curb idle speed.
CURB IDLE SPEED RPM (STARION)

CURB IDLE SPEED RPM: 850 +/- 100
When checking the basic ignition timing at high altitude [altitude of 1200 m (3900 ft.) or more], stop the engine and disconnect the water-proof female connector from the ignition timing connector. Connect a lead wire with an alligator clip to the ignition timing adjusting terminal to ground it (see Fig 11 ).

Fig 11: Ignition Timing Adjusting Terminal (Starion)

NOTE: Some early 1987 model Starions were not equipped with the Ignition Timing Adjusting Terminal described in Step 3. When adjusting ignition timing at high altitude on these cars, disconnect and plug the distributor vacuum line before setting the timing to the value in Step 4.
Check basic ignition timing and adjust if necessary. Basic ignition timing: 10° +/- 2° BTDC
To adjust ignition timing, loosen distributor mounting nut and turn distributor housing.
After adjustment, securely tighten mounting nut (see Fig 12 ).

Fig 12: Distributor Mounting Bolt (Starion)
When checking ignition timing at high altitude, stop the engine and return the ignition timing adjusting terminal grounded in Step 3 to the original condition. Then, restart the engine to make sure that the ignition timing has been advanced to the actual ignition timing. Actual ignition timing 15° BTDC

NOTE: On early Starions without the Ignition Timing Adjusting Terminal, unplug and reconnect the distributor vacuum line before checking the actual ignition timing.

1987 TRUCK 2.0L IGNITION TIMING ADJUSTMENT

Adjustment conditions:

Coolant temperature: 85-95°C (185-205°F)

Lamps and all accessories: OFF

Transmission: N (Neutral)

Set Parking Brake

Connect tachometer and timing light.

Start engine and run at curb idle speed.

CURB IDLE SPEED RPM (TRUCK 2.0L)

MILES	CURB IDLE SPEED RPM
First 500 km (300 mile)	700 +150/-100
After 500 km (300 mile)	750 +/- 100

When checking the basic ignition timing at high altitude [altitude of 1200 m (3900 ft.) or more], disconnect the vacuum hose (white stripe) from the sub-vacuum chamber of the distributor and plug the hose end (see Fig 13 ).

Fig 13: Sub-Vacuum Chamber Hose (Truck 2.0L)
Check basic ignition timing and adjust if necessary. Basic ignition timing: 7° +/- 2° BTDC
To adjust ignition timing, loosen distributor mounting nut and turn distributor housing.
After adjustment, securely tighten mounting nut (see Fig 14 ).

Fig 14: Distributor Mounting Nut (Truck 2.0L)

1987 TRUCK 2.6L IGNITION TIMING ADJUSTMENT

Adjustment conditions:

Coolant temperature: 85-95°C (185-205°F)

Lamps and all accessories: OFF

Transmission: N (Neutral)

Set Parking Brake

Connect tachometer and timing light.

Start engine and run at curb idle speed.

CURB IDLE SPEED RPM (TRUCK 2.6L)

MILES	CURB IDLE SPEED RPM
First 500 km (300 mile)	725 +150/-100
After 500 km (300 mile)	800 +/- 100

When checking the basic ignition timing at high altitude [altitude of 1200 m (3900 ft.) or more], disconnect the vacuum hose (white stripe) from the sub-vacuum chamber of the distributor and plug the hose end (see Fig 15 ).

Fig 15: Sub-Vacuum Chamber Hose (Truck 2.6L)
Check basic ignition timing and adjust if necessary. Basic ignition timing: 7° +/- 2° BTDC
To adjust ignition timing, loosen distributor mounting nut and turn distributor housing.
After adjustment, securely tighten mounting nut (see Fig 16 ).

Fig 16: Distributor Mounting Nut (Truck 2.6L)