Morris Minor Owners Club

Still having problems with the timing Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr Garage has asked me to find out what the timing settings should be - why don't they know this!!! Am I correct in telling them 10 - 12 per cent at idle and the mixture 3 - 3 and half per cent also at idle.

Spark plug gap should be standard

Car has an electronic ignition but I don't think this should make any difference.

Any help on this would be just great - I really need to get back to them by 2pm.

Thanks all

Ignition timing for 1275 Midget engine is as follows Static 7 deg. BTDC
Dynamic, vacuum pipe disconnected 13 deg at 1000rpm
Source Haynes Midget Manual P. 108.

Static timing figure is only any good for getting an engine started. Once running the timing is set by slowly swinging the dizzy back and forth until the best idle is obtained. Then, take car for a run and slightly increase the timing until you hear the engine start to pink on a hill going up in 4th gear, then back it off until no more pinking. This will set the timing accurately and take into account all of your engines individual variables - Honestly, any decent garage should know this basic stuff if they are familiar with older cars. Trouble is many these days just plug in a computer and they are stuck when it comes to proper engineering

yep advance the timing to get pinking up a hill and then retard the ignition slightly

PSL - what does this mean "slowly swinging the dizzy back and forth"

Now realised I've got to get the exhaust blow sorted before anything else can be done. Tried three times but the clamp just isn't gripping it enough. The flange is almost worn away! I'll get new exhaust fitted and then sort out the timing. Just hoping to have it sorting prior to driving down to Somerset!!

ani wrote:PSL - what does this mean "slowly swinging the dizzy back and forth"

Slightly loosen the clamp and rotate the dizzy - you will notice a change in the smoothness of tickover - aim to get it very smooth....

ani before you start moving the dizzy bear in mind that the movement is very small do not move it by 45 degrees or you could run into all sorts of problems.

swing the dizzy a little at a time

on your dizzy i dont think there is any micrometer adjustmant for advance or retard

Swing was the word that phased me!! I had visions of it twirling above my head Anyway can't do anything till the exhaust is fixed.

it just means,losen the clamp and turn the dizzy clock wise or anticlockwise till you get the best idel

I like easy things - thanks for the explanations

By the sounds of that garage - I wouldn't let then blow up my tyres, never mind fiddle with the engine.