Well after owning my Sidekick for about 4 years (only about 1,000 miles) I finally got around to waking it up.

A little history: I bought it from my friend about 6 months after he had the head rebuilt.  Every time I drove it on the highway it felt like the brakes were dragging, the air filter was clogged or there was a Chevy 2.8 attached to the back bumper on a 20' chain.  I checked all the above and put new plugs and wires right after I got it, but never took the time to check the timing.  Last night I needed some "therapy time" so I pulled it into the garage and ran the valves (only two were out of spec).  Then I broke out my 3 year old and never used timing light.  Sure enough, timing was set at about 8 degrees ATDC.  I ran it back to the factory 8 BTDC and added another 2 for good measure.  Wow!  What can I say.  It is amazing how well it accelerates and how that dead spot off idle is gone.  Now I can idle up to my test hill, stab the throttle and up we go. 

Now it's time for new brakes and extending all diff/tc/trans vents!

Just a question from a guy who doesn't know any better  , will retarding it another 2 degrees have any negative effect on the engine?  Thanks...

I think you are a bit confused with the terminology.

As you move from ATDC (After top dead center) to BTDC, you are advancing the timing.

Big Pig added a LOT of advance from where he was... like 18 degrees...   he was quite retarded...er...that is.... his timing was retarded, or slow....

He advanced the timing until he was 8 degrees before top dead center, then advanced it 2 more degrees..


SO, to literally answer your question,  retarding it 2 degrees would bring it back to stock timing. ADVANCING it another 2 degrees might or might not cause detonation... if it isn't detonating, or running hot, you would be OK with it... but it might not be optimal for his fuel curve.. or it might give it a bit more... trial and error, with caution is indicated.

I have my timing advanced on my ATV, I had to use an offset flywheel key... as there is no distributor to tweak...  I run almost 4 degrees advance.. no bad manners since doing it.


I haven't checked my timing on my kick... it runs too good to be far off.. 

I wouldn't run it TOO advanced...


OK, guys, through experience, how much advance can these zuki engines tolerate, and on what octane fuel??   

Told you I didn't know any better...   !!   Thanks

Quaddawg is right, I advanced it from 8 ATDC to 10 BTDC.  I initially set it at 15 BTDC but it pinged ever so slightly, thus the retardation to 10 degrees BTDC.

Maybe I should have titled the post "I'm not retarded anymore!" 

Quaddawg is right, I advanced it from 8 ATDC to 10 BTDC.  I initially set it at 15 BTDC but it pinged ever so slightly, thus the retardation to 10 degrees BTDC.

On what octane fuel?