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 the single most important tuning adjustment on an internal-combustion engine, yet the concept of ignition curves continues to be elusive.

If your timing light doesn’t have a means to set advance on the light, you’ll need to mark the damper at your desired timing setting (say, 13 degrees).

a) Initial timing or base timing—this is what you set with a timing light by moving the distributor when the vehicle is idling.