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timing instinct

Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2011 11:03 pm
by xpress
instinctually, if the throttle response is good on all gears, but sounds a bit flabby, like there's a bit of air going through the exhaust ports and rear box, could it be that the timing needs to be advanced a bit? also, what nut do i need to undo to move the distributor and if it's not misfiring, how much do i need to turn the distributor anticlockwise to advance it, 1/8th of a circle?

Re: timing instinct

Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2011 2:08 am
by katy
The distributor shaft turns 1/2 of a turn for every turn of the crankshaft, so, if you move your distributor 1/8th of a circle, which is 45 º, you will change the timing by 1/2 of that, or 22 1/2º, just a wee bit too much. :lol: :lol:

Re: timing instinct

Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2011 10:42 am
by Alec
Hello Xpress,

there is (or should be) a micrometer adjustment on the distributor, with arrows showing direction for advance and retard. That should be your first adjustment.
See the picture (best I have on file) the little adjuter is just to the left of where the coil lead and number three lead cross.



[frame]Image[/frame]

Alec

Re: timing instinct

Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2011 11:52 am
by Declan_Burns
Here's a closer view


Regards
Declan[frame]Image[/frame]

Re: timing instinct

Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2011 4:48 pm
by bmcecosse
xpress - I've explained the 'timing' to you over and over again, you seem to have a fixation about it! Just follow the advice - then leave it alone!

Re: timing instinct

Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2011 5:02 pm
by Alec
Hello Declan,

yes, a much clearer picture, but that's not copper grease on the rotor shaft is it?

Alec

Re: timing instinct

Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2011 5:46 pm
by Declan_Burns
Alec,
No, there's no copper grease on there. It might look like it but it's not.
Declan

Re: timing instinct

Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2011 6:33 pm
by xpress
i know bmc, just getting the moxie together to do it lol. you know how i love details! i will advance on the micrometer, is there a point where this won't advance any more? also if it's not misfiring and within good range but not advanced enough, if 1/8th of a turn is too much, then 1/16th of a turn?

ps there's an a30 two page review in classic car weekly, cute little car.

today she cut out completely and had to pull over twice. when i started her up again the fuel pump went ga ga ga ga ga like mad, so might have been fuel vaccuum/starvation? however, the engine just cut out, it wasn't gradually going so suggests an ignition fault. when i got home, (i had to add a little choke) i found that the bottom clip wasn't on! so if there was a bump, it would shake the cap a little bit open and closed?

Re: timing instinct

Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2011 7:01 pm
by dellerie
xpress wrote:i know bmc, just getting the moxie together to do it lol. you know how i love details! i will advance on the micrometer, is there a point where this won't advance any more? also if it's not misfiring and within good range but not advanced enough, if 1/8th of a turn is too much, then 1/16th of a turn?

ps there's an a30 two page review in classic car weekly, cute little car.

today she cut out completely and had to pull over twice. when i started her up again the fuel pump went ga ga ga ga ga like mad, so might have been fuel vaccuum/starvation? however, the engine just cut out, it wasn't gradually going so suggests an ignition fault. when i got home, (i had to add a little choke) i found that the bottom clip wasn't on! so if there was a bump, it would shake the cap a little bit open and closed?
i'm not busy this weekend, if you pop over to me (worcester park), i'll show you your timing.