idiots guide to doing timing?

[Morrisbear]

Does anybody have a complete idiots guide to doing the timing? I have read some posts but they all confuse me really. I really need some veryvery basic help. i dont even know what pinking is.. but everybody seems to talk about it! thanks

[bmcecosse]

Assuming the engine starts and runs (does it??) - just advance the timing until you hear a little pinking (light tinkling noise from the engine) as you accelerate in top gear. Then turn it back very slightly. It's the best you can do. Dizzy turns clockwise to advance and anticlock to retard. If your dizzy has the little knurled knob on the side - the scale beside is marked A and R - so you can try using that little knob as a first step - although it has a very limited range. Why do you think the 'timing' needs to be adjusted anyway??

[lambrettalad]

If you know so little and are still learning why not ask a local chap/ess who can help you through the early learning stages.rather than bug*er up what you have ???,or fix what needs doing,showing you the ropes?

[IslipMinor]

Morrisbear,

Where are you located?

[Morrisbear]

im near Bramhall in Manchester. I think I do need some help!

[Arthurdaily]

I live not too far from Bramhall, just doing the timing valves on mine at the moment, well just finished actually... just before dark! I also work near Bramhall, so if you like you could pop your car over to mine next weekend, presuming it's running - is it?

[bmcecosse]

I ask again - why do you think the timing needs adjusting?? What's wrong with it??

[Morrisbear]

Because its running real rough at the moment and sometimes seems slugish somebody at work told me it might be timing. thanks Arthurdaily ill pm you that would be so helpful just to get me started.

[bmcecosse]

Could be anything - why would it be 'timing' ??? Start by giving the engine a good service - new oil and filter, set the points gap 15 thou, new set of plugs perhaps or at least gap the old ones 25 thou, new air filter - and most importantly - set the valve gaps 12 thou inlets and 15 thou exhausts. Check the carb piston rises and falls easily - and put a few drops of 3 in 1 in the carb damper. Then set up the idle mixture. If it's still not right - then perhaps that's the time to worry about 'timing' !! A compression check will be worth having too if you have/can borrow a tester??
Also see my reply to AD re how to set the timing with a road test - although I think I explained that to you already??

[Morrisbear]

I shall try that, and take help thank you AD

[Arthurdaily]

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