how to set timing on 97 tahoe?

Answer 1

Most cars from 1995 and later have no simple way to adjust the timing. There is no distributor in these cars, so it can not be adjusted to advance or retard the timing.

I don't know for sure about the 1997 Tahoe but I'd be surprised if it had a way to adjust timing.

Answer 2

Wow there is a lot of poor advise out there.

Your 97 chevy tahoe has a 350 small block its timing is controlled by an ecu however you still need to set base timing (Say if you need to replace a timing chain).

The 350 chevy does have a distributer it is still set to the #1 cylinder.
Do NOT disconect any sensors on the engine including the air sensors in the air duct.
there is a single wire located in 1 of 3 places its a brown wire you need to disconect it to place the engine to base timing the ECU will still work other sensors but not control the timing.

This wire could either be behind the kick panel on the passengers side of the vehicle.

Behind the plastic shroud in the engine compartment on the center of the firewall.

Or behind the glove box.

Sometimes you need to remove some tape or search it out threw a plastic wire loom.

Now that you have found it unplug it with the engine off. Set up a timing light to the #1 cyl spark plug. Clean off the Harmonic balancer so you can see the morking on it. Note also look for the location of your sight tube near the Harmonic balancer.

Start the engine and let it idle. Place the timing light so you can look down to the sight tube you sould see a ZERO if so thats base timing, and the timing is correct.

If not turn the engine off lossen the bolt that clamps the distributer in place so that the distributor can rotate (DO NOT ROTATE THE DISTRIBUTER WITH THE ENGINE OFF).Start the engine use the timing light while looking in the sight tube rotate the distributer either way to set the base timing to ZERO. Turn the engine off tighten the distributor down (carefull not to move the distributer as your tightening it) your timing is now set.

Answer 3

you don`t actually set timing, unless dist has been out and someone didn`t put it back in exactly the same position.there is amark on intake and dist hsg have to line up. Rotor also has to be exactly in right position. cel will be on if dist is off enough that computer can`t compensate.To involved to instruct here.

Answer 4

it def. doesn't have a 4.3 or a 5.3...it should have a 350. if the timing is off you might have to take it into a garage, because there is no simple way.

Answer 5

it's controlled by the computer so there isn't any adjusting that can really be done by human interference within the engine compartment.

Answer 6

the timing can be set with a scan tool.

Answer 7

pvr and Scott are are right....you can't do it. It's all controlled electronically via the fuel injection system ECU.

Now the better question is: Why do you want to?

Answer 8

you cant ,you can only check the timing its not adjustable its fixed and you need a smog license to fuss with it