Things You'll Need:
- Chalk
- Wrench
- Timing light
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Step 1
Open the hood, and locate the timing tab and the timing marks. The tab is a single metal piece on the passenger's side of the engine's front cover, just above the vibration dampener. The timing marks are lines that have been etched into the side of the vibration dampener.
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Step 2
Draw a line with a piece of chalk across the number "6" that has been etched into the vibration dampener.
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Step 3
Use a wrench to loosen, but not remove, the bolt underneath the distributor. This bolt prevents the distributor from rotating when the engine is running. Loosening the bolt will allow the distributor to be twisted, which is what adjusts the ignition timing.
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Step 4
Attach the three cords protruding from the bottom of a timing light to the engine. One cord features a red clasp on its end, while a second cord has a black clasp. The third cord leads to a black box with a hole in its center; you can open and close the box by squeezing and releasing the box. Attach the red clasp to the positive battery terminal, and the black clasp to the negative terminal. Open the black box on the end of the third cord, and place the spark plug wire on the front of the passenger's side of the engine into the circle, then release the box.
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Step 5
Ensure that each of the three timing light cords are clear of the fan blades, then turn your Mustang's engine on and allow it to idle.
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Step 6
Point the timing light at the timing tab, and press the light's trigger. The light will produce a strobe effect. The tip of the timing tab and the chalk mark on the vibration dampener must be aligned. Twist the distributor slowly until the tab and the chalk mark align, then turn the engine off.
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Step 7
Disconnect each of the timing light's three cords, then tighten the bolt underneath the distributor with a wrench.
