Can you only advance engine ignition timing if you have a distributer? And im trying to understand how it works. If you advance it wont you need it retarded at higher rpms? and also ive had something on my mind, kind of off topic, Did jeep stop making the inline 6cyl? sorry for the random.

 

Manually yes only with a distributor. From whatI was told from a reputable mass engine rebuilding company is you shouldn't go past 34 or 35 degrees advanced if I recall it correctly.

Electronically I am sure you can program the computer to advance it also.

Remember you have pre detonation also to worry if you do retard (ignites sooner) and advance (ignites late). Just because somebody turns a distributor until you hear a pinging and turns it back to where it was or in that direction,doesn't necessarily stop the pinging from happening either.

On the EFI distributors (well Ford anyways) there is a spout connector you remove to set the base timing. After that is set the computer advances it to where it thinks it should be or where its programmed to be set.

On electronic HEI GMs in the 80s (maybe late 70s also I dont know) have a connector to link to the computer for advancing the timing. So that will need to be disconnected also for setting base timing. I learned this the hard way back when I was in school in driveability & emissionslol YOU WIL GET NO WHERE IF YOU DO NOT DISCONNECT THAT CONNECTOR TO THE DISTIBUTOR!!! just a rat race around and around.

So we have vac*** advance &electronic advance distributors out there.

Hope this helps you some