Cadillac Repair: set timing 88 deville, cadillac deville, timing light

Question
Step by step instructions, easily understood, start to finish - how to set the timing for a 1988 Cadillac Deville 4.5 Liter.  What tools do I need?  Service manual is not helping me.  Instructions in engine compartment are vague.  Thank You.

Answer
Hi Dave, I'll assume that you know how to hook up and use your timing light. So hook it up, remove the air cleaner assembly and plug the vacuum fitting and warm up the engine until the thermostat opens. Then aim the timing light at the marks and it should show more than 10 degrees BTDC. Then with the engine still running there is a small flap under the dash and above the center hump that you fold down and there will be the 12 pin ALDL connector. Jumper terminal A to B with a spade/u shaped terminal...don't jam a wire in there and spread the terminals... and the computor will command base timing. At that point timing is set to 10 degrees BTDC and if it needs to be changed a 15mm wrench is used to loosen the hold down clamp nut. If that doesn't help then don't feel too bad because the set timing procedures are harder on the newer computor cars. When I have to do a car for the first time it can give me fits so I know what you mean because the instructions can be vague. Bill