Ford Repair: ignition timing, engine vacuum, vacuum advance

Question
this is a question relating to all cars wondering if u can help thanks.. relating to ignition timing, i know how the distributor works and everything in a car but when we are talking bout electronic ignition, i know that the computer controls advance and retard the timing, when exactly is the timing advanced and retarded when driving your car, im refering to naturally aspirated cars. old cars with the carby how does the timing work with them aswell?? thanks 4 your time,

Answer
Anton-

  The ignition advance and retard is controlled by the computer and kicks changes depending on a lot of things.  Mostly, throttle position, engine speed, engine load, and information relayed from various sensors.  In carbed cars it's a lot simpler.  You've got a base timing and from there, depending on your distributor, either the engine vacuum or distributor itself would play with the timing.  Vacuum advance used the engine vacuum to move the timing around.  Mechanical pieces simply did it linearly depending on engine rpm.  Hope this helps.

Steve