Twisting the distibutor by hand anti/clockwise toget best timing...Diagram......

[Sprackers]

Hi all.

I have replaced the distibotor all in place and starts first time.

I havent got a strobascope or access to one.

As the engine is ticking over, I fine-tune the timing by, getting under the bonnet and twist the dizzy clockwise then anti clockwise and listen closely to get the best position.

As I twist it anti clockwise I hear it just start to splutter then turn it back clockwise until the same thing happens and it starts to splutter then i move it back.

Here's the thing, There is a 30 degrees of play(about 1-2 hours on a clock face) where the engine seems not to alter and runs ok and I cant hear a change

BUT I am sure within that the optimum place has to be either closer to one side more than the other.

Someone out there knows, im sure, if it should be closer to A or B...............

 

[David M]

Hi all.

I have replaced the distibotor all in place and starts first time.

I havent got a strobascope or access to one.

As the engine is ticking over, I fine-tune the timing by, getting under the bonnet and twist the dizzy clockwise then anti clockwise and listen closely to get the best position.

As I twist it anti clockwise I hear it just start to splutter then turn it back clockwise until the same thing happens and it starts to splutter then i move it back.

Here's the thing, There is a 30 degrees of play(about 1-2 hours on a clock face) where the engine seems not to alter and runs ok and I cant hear a change

BUT I am sure within that the optimum place has to be either closer to one side more than the other.

Someone out there knows, im sure, if it should be closer to A or B...............
View attachment 9505

The general rule of thumb is that the timing should be as advanced as possible without pinking or pinging. So it should be closer t "B" in your diagram.
Setting the timing at idle will need further adjustment. Take the car for a drive and listen for the pinking. If/when you hear it drive home and move the distributor a little bit toward "A" on your drawing. Repeat the process as necessary. If you go too far toward "A" the timing will be retarded and the car will not accelerate very well.

As an edit which I will add here, make sure that you have set the points correctly with a feeler gauge first.

David

 

[angel]

Any engine will run happily with too much advance at idle. Unfortunately this will end up as too much total advance at higher rpm, which is not good for engine performance.

In my opinion it is way better to set timing statically and leave it there.
Set crankshaft to TDC, then move flywheel pointer to 6 deg. BTDC (look around in the forum to see which line on the bellhousing corresponds with this).
Remove distributor cap and note whether rotor arm points towards cylinder #1 or #4. Disconnect this spark plug lead at the spark plug and refit the distributor cap. Loosen the 11mm nut that holds the distributor on the block.
Switch ignition ON. Fit a spare spark plug on the plug lead you disconnected and hold it on a good earth, or simply pull the rubber boot back and hold the terminal 2-3mm away from a good earth.
Now turn the distributor 30 degrees clockwise-the point is to take up the slack in the distributor spindle. Turn it counterclockwise slowly until you see/hear the spark at the spark plug lead. That's all, you are done! No need for timing lights etc!
If you feel you have turned the distributor a little more pastthe point you saw the spark, turn it again clockwise and repeat the process.

You can always road test the car, advancing and retarding slightly ignition from this point until you get the best performance, but better don't do it if you don't have a timing light to check how far have you gone. It would not be necessary anyway, as timing would be spot-on with the above method.

 

[Sprackers]

Hi Angel/David

My distibutor was as close to 'A' as I could without it spluttering and I will tell you why.

I set the engine on idle and I started with the Dizzy postion close to 'B' I then twisted the dizzy anti-clockwise, (retard) towards 'A' and as I did so the engine at idle speeded up.

I read this as being better , and that is why I set the dizzy as close to 'A' as possible.

Took it for a run.

I did hear pinking (or thats what I think it was, tiny taps from some where in front of me when I drove) ) so I stopped and twisted the dizzy clockwise (advance) a tiny bit away from 'A' and towards 'B' a little.

Pinking noise was not so bad and this is when I realised I needed some advice.

I was confused as logic said the postion should be where the engine seems to idle quickest ('A') but it souded better when I was driving when it was a little closer to 'B'.

I know feel happier that I should postion the dizzy closer to 'B'

I will follow you advice and take her for a long run (I am doing a 500Km run starting tomorrow) and then adjust it and monitor acceleration etc..

I will report back with my findings.

Thanks for the advice, really helps.

Cheers

Sprackers

 

[Azazello]

Angel is a precious teacher as always for us.
But even buying a timing strobe light is not so expensive; for people like me, without any experience, turns the entire operation in something very easy. Playing by ear I ended up far away from the right position!
So definitely it's worth the 30 euros I paid the strobe light! (UK eBay is a really cheap place from which buy tools, even if I have to pay higher delivery fees; I think that for people living in UK the tool access is much higher than for other parts of Europe...)

 

[pepper]

I agree, eBay is your friend! A strobe light and a multi meter are 2 of the best value purchases you can make.

 

[angel]

. Playing by ear I ended up far away from the right position!

That was my point, if you set ignition timing with a timing light you will be amazed with how little distributor rotation equals to +/- 5 degrees of advance.

 

[Sprackers]

I hear you loud and clear.

I agree that things and parts on ebay.uk are great, better than here in france.

I will investigate and purchase one on your advice.

p.s. Just finished my round trip and avergae MPG worked out at:

• Total Ltrs 99.37

• Total Kms 1636

• Total Gallons 21.86

• Total Miles 1016

• Avg MPG 46.50

• Avg Km P/L 16.46

 

[Sprackers]

I have just bought on ebay.uk :

Multimeter £2.79
Strobe £21.00

I checked le boncoin here in France and they wanted €40 for a Strobascope and €40 for a multimeter

nuff said

 

[Sprackers]

Strobe arrived

Connected it up and followed Haynes and Diagram of notches as per DavidN (cheers) and Angel and it woked fine.

Removed vacuum, started engine ,left it on idle, Pointed strobe at notch and It was at about 3 degrees.

Twisted Dizzy anti-clockwise and watched the notch advance smoothly to 6 degrees.