Renault 4GTL Ignition Timing

[Paul Narramore]

Right, ignition timing, a subject I've steered clear of during all the years I've been dabbling with old cars. Partly it's because I was scared that I'd upset things and make matters worse. However after fitting Aldon electronic ignition last week, it became apparent I couldn't simply leave the timing alone even though I'd not removed the Ducellier distributor. Oh well, let have a go and see if it's as easy as people say. It often isn't.

At this point you old sweats who have done this over and over again can go and find something useful to do, as this is for us sprogs.

Refering to p264 of Haynes, the first thing is the dreadful and grainy 60x50mm illustration (Fig12.46) showing the timing marks. Very inaccessible, I spent quite a while cleaning up the surroundings of this little window with a small screw driver and steel wool to find not two marks but quite a number, even a pair on the opposite side of the window. As my image shows, it's the pair almost tucked under the small bolt head. Highlight the two marks with Tippex and ignore any other neighbouring marks.

Now the 'bar' the flywheel around until the notch, a very feint one at that, appears in the window. Put a dab of Tippex on that. To bar the flywheel around, I tried to use a 17mm socket on a 1/2" drive ratchet but it seemed a loose fit and I lost a bit more skin as it slid of the hexagon nut. 5/8"A/F was a snugger fit.

Remove the vacuum advance pipe from the end of the distributor and plug the end of the plastic tube with a self tapper and masking tape.

Slacken the 11mm A/F bolt which clamps the base of the distributor, a few turns. To gain access to this, take off the No3 HT lead from the No3 plug then replace it after the bolt has been slackened.

Borrow a strobe from a friend - mine was ancient, very dusty and the light was a little feint - remove the H/T lead from No1 spark plug (at the front and nearest the radiator, clip one of the two leads onto the spark plug and push the other lead into the H/T lead (plug cap).

Start the engine up and allow the engine to tick over. Make sure the dangly leads don't touch anything spinning like the alternator fan blades (as it makes a noise which will make you jump) and point the strobe at the marks. Well bugger me, the mark on the flywheel was just to one side of the two marks, which showed it was a touch retarded. A slight tweak of the distributor body and the feint flywheelmark comes within the two marks.

You could also follow Haynes' tip to check that the centrifugal advance mechanism is working .

Turn off engine. Tighten up the distributor clamp bolt. Remove the strobe and replace the plug cap onto No1 plug.

I've noticed already that the tickover is a touch smoother so time to take her for a test drive ;-)

PS If those Tippex marks don't look too sharp to you, remember that access to this window is very restricted and Parkinsons hasn't kicked in yet.

 

[Richnd1974]

I'm about to do my timing as well

 

[André4Renaults]

Brilliant! The number of people who forget to remove & blank off the vacuum pipe always amazes me! Forget to do that and it'll never read properly!

 

[mojobaby]

Hello Paul,
when you "bar" the flywheel around, I think you are actually turning the camshaft. The flywheel is connected to the crankshaft and is completely hidden.

I think that the way you did it would cause some stress on various parts of your engine. The crank should turn the cam, not the other way around.

Far better to raise one front wheel , put it on a jackstand, put the car in 2nd gear and turn the wheel.

Very clear description, thank you

 

[Paul Narramore]

Yes, thanks for pointing that out. As the pulley I was turning wasn't directly in the centreline of the engine it should have been obvious. It did occur to me at the time but I thought hey ho.

So what have I noticed after my test drive? A nice smooth tickover. Driving around town I could smoothly corner in a higher gear. Returning along the M20, we managed a turbinelike 70mph on half throttle.

Thanks for the tip.

PS I like to write in this way as if I can understand it, just about anyone can. Haynes seems to gloss over stuff probably because they are trying too hard to cover numerous models in one manual. Well meaning enthusiasts can presume one is more experienced with our cars than we are and omit steps.

 

[mr-reno-139]

If you search further in the forum depths Imy tips are there to read
will add that having set timing by the book so to speak further improvements can be gained by now marking distrubutotr to block position with tippex
Now with engine at idle slacken clamp and rotate distributor anti clockwise a mm at a time this will raise tick over speed don't go mad 3 or 4mm to start with tighten it up roasd test provided engine doesn't pink in 3rd gear 20 mph with acceleration down
This can be repeated until performance is at optimum but don't go mad as you've got a mark to go back to if needed
I could of course go back through 8 years of my comments and compile my own manual

 

[Paul Narramore]

Paul, When I fitted the electronic ignition, this is precisely what I did, and it seemed OK once I got her revs the highest. However with the strobe, she was slightly retarded. Now she's spot on.

Searching on here seems to peter out after a few years.

Glad you're back from your holidays, I'll miss the grinning selfies.

 

[Niels Svane]

Congrats on the setup
I usually push the car to get the marks to align just to make things difficult
I haven't fittet a total el. ignition though. Just a boyer bransden inductive discharge unit.