Ignition timing marks

An alchemy of sparks, copper wire and earth

Moderators: User administrators, Moderators

Post Reply
sump
Registered user
Posts: 148
Joined: 16 May 2018, 08:12
80-90 Mem No: 0
Location: Cycle City on the Cam

Ignition timing marks

Post by sump »

Hi all,

I now have the DG running and it is sounding promising :ok

One question though! Putting the timing light on it yesterday and the timing marks are only lining up every now and again unlike the earlier engine which showed them continuously. What is happening here?

User avatar
Robsey
Registered user
Posts: 1196
Joined: 19 May 2012, 20:45
80-90 Mem No: 11137
Location: East Manchester

Re: Ignition timing marks

Post by Robsey »

Obvious question, but have you disconnected the distributor vacuum hose?

From what I remember for setting the timing, you disconnect the vacuum pipe.
1983 Tin Top with a poorly DF and 4 speed DT box.
1987 Electrics and a DJ engine.
Maybe one day I might get it finished

sump
Registered user
Posts: 148
Joined: 16 May 2018, 08:12
80-90 Mem No: 0
Location: Cycle City on the Cam

Re: Ignition timing marks

Post by sump »

Yes disconnected and plugged off.

User avatar
Mocki
Membership Admin
Posts: 17007
Joined: 29 Sep 2005, 09:27
80-90 Mem No: 428
Location: Mansfield Notts
Contact:

Re: Ignition timing marks

Post by Mocki »

When you say “every now and then “ what do you mean ? Sometimes the strobe isnt there at the right time ? Suggests a misfire on the plug lead or dissy cap? Or am i misunderstanding you ?
Steve
tel / txt O7947-137911
👀
________________

1989 2.1LpgWBX HiTop Leisuredrive Camper
1988 2.1 Caravelle TS TinTop Camper 
 

sump
Registered user
Posts: 148
Joined: 16 May 2018, 08:12
80-90 Mem No: 0
Location: Cycle City on the Cam

Re: Ignition timing marks

Post by sump »

Engine seems too be running fine and smoothly but the two marks only align now and again not as frequently as I would expect and not as often as the old engine. Hope that explains it better.

User avatar
Aidan
Trader
Posts: 6566
Joined: 11 Oct 2005, 19:21
80-90 Mem No: 742
Location: Llanfyllin, mid Wales : )
Contact:

Re: Ignition timing marks

Post by Aidan »

was this before you fitted the missing spring ?

sump
Registered user
Posts: 148
Joined: 16 May 2018, 08:12
80-90 Mem No: 0
Location: Cycle City on the Cam

Re: Ignition timing marks

Post by sump »

Aidan wrote: 28 May 2023, 07:57 was this before you fitted the missing spring ?

Ah ha yes he spring question. Well actually the spring was there all along. In my defence it was dark and I should have gone to Specsavers. I took the spring from the old engine, removed the distributor went to put spring in and saw one was already there :rofl
So the answer is both :oops:

Could it have such a small misfire that it shows up on strobe but not noticed on running?

jasonmcnicol
Registered user
Posts: 6
Joined: 09 Feb 2023, 12:40
80-90 Mem No: 0

Re: Ignition timing marks

Post by jasonmcnicol »

This could be a problem I am having too. Engine got a wee bit lumpy with backfire so got new strobe lamp to check timing. Strobe lamp flashing intermittently and difficult to see mark on pulley. Could this be a faulty HT lead??

sump
Registered user
Posts: 148
Joined: 16 May 2018, 08:12
80-90 Mem No: 0
Location: Cycle City on the Cam

Re: Ignition timing marks

Post by sump »

Wouldn't it be more likely to be the cap rather than the lead as the signal is picked up from the cap then goes to the lead after going through the gun?

Post Reply