Transistorized ignition timing

[Andy Rose]

Hi, my van is fitted with transistorized ignition and I would like to make sure the timing is set correctly. I have checked it with a strobe,but trying to get the old girl to idle slow enough to beat the centrifical advance is all but impossible. The instructions for the electronic ignition kit only refer to dynamic not static timing.. Is there a way of setting the timing static ??

[lambrettalad]

hi I did mine and it was 1 degree before tic at about 800 rpm,so this may be a good place to start,but get it running and turn the dizzy till it peaks at idle ,and make sure its not pinking ,then your around about right.drive it and see then repeat if needed
good luck

[Andy Rose]

hi I did mine and it was 1 degree before tic at about 800 rpm,so this may be a good place to start,but get it running and turn the dizzy till it peaks at idle ,and make sure its not pinking ,then your around about right.drive it and see then repeat if needed
good luck

Thanks, I didn't think of rotating it until the revs peaked..I will give it a go.

[bmcecosse]

The only timing that matters is the dynamic timing......just advance it in small steps till you hear a little pinking when accelerating in top gear, and then back it off slightly so it's 'not quite' pinking. Throw the strobe away - it's useless........

[lambrettalad]

I know its a bit early for panto season,( except if you support Aston Villa )but

"Oh yes they are "
the strobe is another tool in the tuners box

(plus remember the points gap also effects the timing,increasing the gap will will advance it and decreasing visa versa,so best check the gap too)

bmc feels like a sucked egg

[bmcecosse]

Ehh? What will you do with the silly 'strobe' - except perhaps put yourself into an epileptic fit......???

[lowride stepside]

strobes, lazers, smoke machines glitter balls lets party

[Andy Rose]

The only timing that matters is the dynamic timing......just advance it in small steps till you hear a little pinking when accelerating in top gear, and then back it off slightly so it's 'not quite' pinking. Throw the strobe away - it's useless........

Hi, I need some more advice please. I have thrown away my strobe as recommended and advanced the timing quite a way.I rotated the dizzy about ten degrees! The performance is much better but there are a couple of things I need tutoring on. First, am I going the correct way , clockwise to advance?? Secondly, with the micrometer adjustment, Anti clockwise (un-screwing) is advance??.I have lost confidence a bit because of the amount I have turned the dizzy. The shaft of the Vacuum advance device was about vertical (12o'clock) but now is more like 1 o'clock. My other morrie's dizzy is more like 11 o'clock..

[lambrettalad]

It could be that your engine was set on a different cylinder to number one check by looking to the direction of the rotor arm as the lobes come to the head on your electric ignition

have you moved it 10 degs static or dynamic?

static timing at set up is about 6 degrees before TDC ,But the real test is how the car performs with out pinking and with good performance and fuel consumption,or rumbling

I understand that some old timers measure acceleration from 20 to 40 mph,on a flat road and set it to the fastest time setting not recommended if you have a life

sounds as if your on the right track

[Andy Rose]

Thanks for your suggestions. I will pull the rocker cover off and make sure it has been timed to #1.. Runs very well at this setting, I'm just worried as to why the dizzy has to be turned so far round..can it be set one tooth out??

[lambrettalad]

if it looks ok,sounds ok,runs ok then its probably ok

it doesn't matter where its timed as long as it's timed well,if it's running well I wouldn't worry,less one of the uber experts on here say very much different

[dalebrignall]

all engines are different i use the bmc methlod just turn till it starts to pink then go back a bit,if its running well leave it be .the petrol is different to when the boooks were published .

[bmcecosse]

Don't worry about where the dizzy sits - do worry about pinking! Advance till it pinks (yes - clockwise) and then back very slightly.

[lambrettalad]

very good advice from the scottish master

[Andy Rose]

Thanks all I will just relax and not worry about the dizzy position. Certainly advancing the timing has made a world of difference in the performance..

[Andy Rose]

Don't worry about where the dizzy sits - do worry about pinking! Advance till it pinks (yes - clockwise) and then back very slightly.

OK, I have improved the performance by advancing the ignition timing, but I couldn't help checking the valve timing using the method you outlined in another post. #1 TDC, but not on firing stroke, back off tappets to release valves, set at 10 thou and then one more revolution to TDC and measure. Result #1 valve (exhaust) 76 thou and #2 valve (inlet) 37 thou.. I'm thinking I am going to have to learn how to reset the timing chain. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

[bmcecosse]

Oh yes - well done - I would double check to make sure you get TDC accurately - but that result does suggest avalve timing problem.

[Andy Rose]

Oh yes - well done - I would double check to make sure you get TDC accurately - but that result does suggest avalve timing problem.

Is taking out the radiator enough to gain access to do the job?

[MarkyB]

Barely enough, much better to take the front panel off so you can really see what you are doing.
Start soaking the hockey stick nuts with penetrating oil ASAP.

[Andy Rose]

Barely enough, much better to take the front panel off so you can really see what you are doing.
Start soaking the hockey stick nuts with penetrating oil ASAP.

Great advice, thanks..soaking them as I type. They are covered in anti - rust tar stuff. Also there is a bit of rust starting in the lower part of the radiator cowl. Removing it will give me a chance to put a bit of paint on it.