Corvette tech guru James Berry tackles part 2 of his tune-up series. Learn how to set ignition timing on your Corvette.

Ignition timing is like seasoning: some is good, but too much ruins the results. Bumping up the ignition timing on pushrod 5.0s is a time-honored trick to wake up the under-hood lump. The EFI ...

This Chevy V8 uses an old-school Kettering-style ignition distributor. To set the timing after replacing the points and condenser, you'll need, no surprise, an old-fashioned stroboscopic timing light.

As the distributor spins fast enough to activate the mechanical-advance weights, the engine receives initial timing, mechanical timing, and vacuum timing under part-throttle conditions.

But with the proper tools, adjusting your ignition timing to its optimum setting can add power, performance, and driveability.