Ignition timing is easily the single most important tuning adjustment on an internal combustion engine and yet the concept of ignition curves continues to be elusive for many enthusiasts. Yet all it ...

There's no shortage of opinions in this hobby, and they are usually founded on nothing more than an individual's personal experience. The theory of what makes an engine run is hardly ever applied.

Two years ago, my 1982 El Camino didn’t pass the California smog test and I had to take it to a designated repair shop. As part of the repair, the tech told me: “Some fool set the ignition timing to ...

Welcome back for Part 2 of tune-up tips for your older Corvette. Last time we talked about tricks of the trade when setting points. This month we will talk about setting ignition timing. The most ...

Like much in life, the difference between detonation and pre-ignition, and their effects, comes down to timing. Both refer to a situation when an engine's fuel/air mixture combusts at the wrong time, ...

Ignition timing is like seasoning: some is good, but too much ruins the results. Bumping up the ignition timing on pushrod 5.0s is a time-honored trick to wake up the under-hood lump. The EFI system ...

The spark plug ignites the compressed fuel-air mixture in the cylinder. The spark timing can be varied using the mechanical timing arm on the engine. The high voltage for the spark is provided by the ...

I have a 1982 El Camino. Two years ago, because it didn’t pass the California smog test, I had to take it to a designated repair shop. As part of the repair, the tech told me: “Some fool set the ...