I just replaced a blown head gasket and a friend helped me with the timing, now the car is running very rough at idle, seems to be missing? It runs better at higher speed but will stall when revs drop.

QUESTION:- VERY IMPORTANT. I need an answer to this as ASAP to settle a slight disagreement.

I have been told to ground the round plug that comes out the firewall, then run the timing light and set it a 5 degrees BTDC, e.t.c

HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO GROUND THIS PLUG?? An unnamed person refused to even try this method as we dont have a basis foir doing such? Can someone pls explain to me so i can tell my friend why this plug needs grounding and what it does? As we just used a timing light, set to 13 degree BTDC and now I have this issue, i have changed plugs and leads also, but the car was running fine before the head gasket blew. I really need my car for work so this is stressing me out to the max!!

grounding that plug ,is inportant as it help set base timming. without grounding the plug timing will never be set right .

It's done that way because the manual tells you to. Simple.

Did you work out why the head gasket blew? Or did you just put in a new one and hoped for the best?

From what i can tell the head gasket blew due to over heating many times, when i got the car it had had several problems causing overheating, i replaced coolant sensor which helped, then the hoses decided to blow one by one due to it sitting for 8 months, all hoses have been replaced now, no overheating issues. When i pulled the head off the number 3 cylinder was full of water and you could see where it had blown the gasket, no (visible) damage to the head.

Unfortunately i dont have a manual to throw in his face. Or a timing light to do it myself!

grounding that plug ,is inportant as it help set base timming. without grounding the plug timing will never be set right .

I, Myself understand this - but how do i get it across to my friend :tired: (who is an electrician) he simply will not even try it because he does not understand the reasoning behing it! ARRGGHHH!!

I need to be able to tell him What exactly grounding that plug does, so he has a better understanding and may try it. - I think half his problem is that I'm female and some guys dont like being shown up or instructed by a girl, but im not here to prove anything, i just want my car fixed! If i could explain in mechanical/electrical terms whatthis plug is for it may help.

Nah sparkys like to know why before they do something as if they try it may blow something up. Sparky are a little afraid when shorting some sort of plug to ground. Hence him asking why and what an explanation. Me I like to try things and don't kind care if it blows up hence I'm not your typical sparky :cool:

Try this get a fuse holder, use a 2A fuse. This might overcome his fear as if something blows up then the device should be protected :)

Nah sparkys like to know why before they do something as if they try it may blow something up. Sparky are a little afraid when shorting some sort of plug to ground. Hence him asking why and what an explanation. Me I like to try things and don't kind care if it blows up hence I'm not your typical sparky :cool:

Try this get a fuse holder, use a 2A fuse. This might overcome his fear as if something blows up then the device should be protected :)

Lol, you sound like me, try first, if that dont work, then ask later! The fuse idea sounds sensible, but if he doesnt even know what it is for he will still refuse to touch it, i know him too well!

Its almost to the point where i give up and move back to civilisation with public transport!

http://www.lisho.net/?page_id=3 <- workshop manuals
I think grounding the plug tells the computer to stop altering the timing electronically, so that you can get it right by adjusting it yourself to a base level and then let the car sort it out from there afterwards rather than have you and the car adjusting it back and forth at the same time.

Tell him its called the "spark advance cut connector" and it allows him to set the base ignition timing correctly. If he is a sparky worth his salt he will instantly understand why it needs to be earthed while he sets the timing.

If not, kick him in the shins. He deserves it. lol

Me I like to try things and don't kind care if it blows up hence I'm not your typical sparky :cool:

lol lol lol