timing light use

[chilly]

on a 1098 engine. how many degrees BTDC should the timing be set please. Also, where in relation to the 3 pointers is this?

Also, how do you point the light at the pully? there's a cross member right across the front of it.

Thanks
Chris

[charlie_morris_minor]

you have a pm which contains a link should answer your first few question ( well you will have when the link i want to send you is up and running)

you lie on the floor and point the light up.. at least that is what i do..

[bmcecosse]

But we have no idea what 'timing' to use with these engines - the fuel today is a very different animal to the fuel used back in the day when suggested figures were issued. Just get the engine running at normal temperature - and twiddle the dizzy back and forth till you get the best/smoothest idling. Then road test and listen to make sure it's not pinking. If pinking - retard slightly - if not pinking, advance slightly till is DOES pink - then retard slightly.. Timing is now optimised for YOUR engine and the fuel you are using. Lying on the floor pointing? Oh dear....much too messy for me !

[chilly]

Right. I've now fitted accuspark electronic ignition but can't seem to get the timing spot on.
I followed bmcecosse' advice but couldn't get the engine to pink. I got it running smooth and with decent power, went for a test drive and gradually advanced the timing as I went along. It seemed to run worse as I advanced it and I never got it to the pinking stage. (I even ran it up some hills to try and induce pinking).
I then used a strobe to set it to 3º BTDC (as per haynes). It runs OK but still seems slightly down on power.
Any other ideas as to what I can do please?

Cheers
Chris

[lambrettalad]

There is no right timing ,only the one that works for your car ,everything else is a guide or starting point say after a rebuild .

Mine ended up as 1 degree BTDC at 850 RPM tick over .

The strobe will tell you what the engine is running at in real time,thats all ,but still useful .

If it runs well ,good colour spark plugs ,no pinking ,good fuel economy ,steady tick over ,no overheating etc

then it's running well ,sit back and enjoy

[bmcecosse]

Strange it won't pink - but at least you know no harm is being done ! Just try moving it slightly till you have the best performance - best you can do!

[katy]

Chilly, how's your hearing? Some of us older types can't hear the pinking (pinging in my lingo) even though it's there.

[chilly]

Chilly, how's your hearing? Some of us older types can't hear the pinking (pinging in my lingo) even though it's there.

Pardon?

[lambrettalad]

[aupickup]

ahhhhhhhhhhh

[IslipMinor]

Before starting to check with a strobe, make sure the points gap is set correctly to 0.015" (0.38mm), and that the vacuum tube from the inlet manifold is disconnected.

It would also be worth checking that the vacuum unit in the distributor is working. To do this remove the distributor cap and by suck hard on the tube - the plate with the points on should move slightly.

Finally, it is easier to see the marks if you put a dab of white paint in the notch in the crankshaft pulley and on the timing cover pointer.

A standard 1098 engine should have the ignition set to around 6°at a normal idle speed of 600/800 rpm. The pointer on the bottom of the timing cover has one long 'tooth' which is TDC, and 2 shorter ones which are 5° and 10° BTDC. This means that the notch in the timing pulley should be between the two shorter teeth when idling and slightly closer to the first one.

Adjusting the timing is done using the knurled wheel on the end of the vacuum unit - unless the distributor is way out, that is.

[MarkyB]

Tippex makes a good substitute for white paint.