Before this gets too deep, I am still running on a tank of gas that is probably about 40% old gas mixed with 92 octane "Premium". that car was rarely driving for the last ten years. Having said that, I drove it 40 miles home on what smelled like cheap shellac knowing a tuneup was a first priority.

In any case, during the recent SMOG certification (California), the tech said I was edging on a bit dirty which he attributed to bad gas and mentioned my timing was at 11 degrees.

The car passed which was the priority.

Yesterday I went back to inspect the timing and noted it was probably averaging 9 to 11 degrees (AB ALDL grounding). Due to the fluctuation, I took an average around 8 degrees, but in my experience, there is too much fluctuation. I did note a very subtle miss after doing most of a tune up.

Prior to the SMOG check, I changed plugs (43TS6 factory gap checked at .60), new DELCO EGR (as if that means much anymore), cap and rotor. All vacuum hoses replaced or verified as in good operational order and connection. No vacuum leaks I can detect, EVAP is intact with a new filter.

Before I start throwing money at new wires or a coil, I will burn this 1/2 tank of gas, but was wondering am I missing a "usual suspect". We took a 70 mile freeway "milk shake" shakedown run last night up from Sacramento to Auburn, and other than what appears to be a tire balance issue, she ran pretty good with one exception. I did note a bogging down getting back on the freeway going up hill that appear not to be a rev limitation. In general the car is extremely clean under the hood. It was my Dad's "baby", garaged, but he was never a mechanic beyond the basic stuff.

Also, a lot of 2.5 forums, especially the S-10 ones, chat up gapping the plugs down to .45 or .50. Some claim slightly better performance, some claim no difference. Searching here, I don't see any chatter about gapping plugs down from .60.

Thanks for any input.

By the way the SMOG Tech said he has seen two Fieros in ten years! I had to help him with the timing as he had no clue where the ALDL was. Nice, patient guy that I will have to drop a 12 pack on because smog testing the Fiero took over 2 hours with the assorted tests. Cars from '78 to '95 get put through a battery of tests. Personally I have no issue with them if it keeps the air breathable, but apparently some SMOG shops prefer to say their EVAP machine is broken so as to avoid those cars that require them. Which brings me to the EVAP canisters. If you are junkyard diving, you may want to save EVAP canisters that fit which appear to be a large swath of 2.5 and 2.8 GM cars from 84-88. No one is selling them under any brand.

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