Setting Timing

[Bernica]

A good pair of Bluepoint circlip pliers with exchangeable tip sizes is a must in any toolbox!

[rodneym]

I know. At first glance I thought there was a hole, not a channel.
Maybe it's easier but not the way it was designed.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by rodneym

I know. At first glance I thought there was a hole, not a channel.
Maybe it's easier but not the way it was designed.

That little rod goes straight up and rotates on the shaft, so if there's any friction caused by the fastener, it will indeed screw things up.

[Bernica]

Circlip, snap-ring, e-clip....I think the difference is that a circlip or e-clip just pops on and off whie a snap-ring has holes for the pliers. I think either choice is better than the clothes pin.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Bernica

Circlip, snap-ring, e-clip....I think the difference is that a circlip or e-clip just pops on and off whie a snap-ring has holes for the pliers. I think either choice is better than the clothes pin.

I remember how careful I was pulling that circlip off, because I knew I would drop it. I had a sheet under it all and pulled it off with needle nose pliers. If there were any holes in the ends of the circlip, they would be damn small holes. I can't imagine trying to get the ends of pointy pliers in to holes that small. If I did, I'm sure the moment I pulled it off I'd hear a "sproingggg" type noise and that circlip would rocket off in to the corner of the garage somewhere and be lost forever.

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by patrickt

I remember how careful I was pulling that circlip off, because I knew I would drop it. I had a sheet under it all and pulled it off with needle nose pliers. If there were any holes in the ends of the circlip, they would be damn small holes. I can't imagine trying to get the ends of pointy pliers in to holes that small. If I did, I'm sure the moment I pulled it off I'd hear a "sproingggg" type noise and that circlip would rocket off in to the corner of the garage somewhere and be lost forever.

Yup. I have been there. They are "press-on, press off" little buggers and can cause some frustration at 10 pm when you lose one and thought you were almost finished! Now, before I try a project I look at all that stuff and go buy spares of all the things I know I will lose along the way. Better for my stress level and probably my marriage.

[Large Arbor]

Ok, I started up and let it warm up a little bit and put the timing light on it. I am sitting at 20 degrees at idle so I think I am going to retard the distributor a little bit and see what difference that makes. Idle still seems high. I need to find one of those keys to put on that vacuum link.

Phil

[Bernica]

If you are referring to just disconnecting the vacuum hose from the dizzy, just stick a golf tee in it.

[Large Arbor]

Oh, and that wacky clip was a temporary till I can get the one I need. I need to still play with the timing to see if I can dial it in better. Seems too far advanced.

Phil

[Large Arbor]

The distributor is the mechanical advance type.

Phil

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by Large Arbor

The distributor is the mechanical advance type.

Phil

Sorry, my bad. I thought you were on vacuum advance. Couldn't figure out what you were saying about a vacuum fitting...

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Large Arbor

Oh, and that wacky clip was a temporary till I can get the one I need. I need to still play with the timing to see if I can dial it in better. Seems too far advanced.

Phil

What MSD bushing do you have in your distributor (that limits the total advance)?

[Large Arbor]

Black one, it was the same size that came out before. Also using the silver springs.

Phil

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Large Arbor

Black one, it was the same size that came out before. Also using the silver springs.

Phil

The black one limits you to 18 degrees, so if you want to shoot for 35 degrees all in, your idle timing will be 17 degrees. If you find you want less idle timing, like me, then you're going to have to change your bushing so the total comes out to the sum that you want. The bushing is easily changed, just Google a vid for it on YouTube. I use the silver bushing, that limits the advance to 25 degrees, and I have 10 degrees at idle, so my all in timing is 35 degrees.

[Large Arbor]

Thanks Patrick. I will toy with different bushings. Seems Ike I have a lot of color choices but will try the silver one first.

Phil

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Large Arbor

Thanks Patrick. I will toy with different bushings. Seems Ike I have a lot of color choices but will try the silver one first.

Phil

Here are the instructions: http://static.speedwaymotors.com/pdf/5478464.pdf Just get your initial timing to something that pleases you at idle and cranking. Then choose the bushing that adds up to what your total sum should be as recommended by your builder. Then you tweak the springs to have it come in as quickly as you can while keeping good engine manners. It's not that hard.

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by patrickt

The black one limits you to 18 degrees, so if you want to shoot for 35 degrees all in, your idle timing will be 17 degrees. If you find you want less idle timing, like me, then you're going to have to change your bushing so the total comes out to the sum that you want. The bushing is easily changed, just Google a vid for it on YouTube. I use the silver bushing, that limits the advance to 25 degrees, and I have 10 degrees at idle, so my all in timing is 35 degrees.

Wow, 10 degrees to 25 all in Patrick? Sounds low, but I am sure I'm missing something. I have always been at 18/36 or thereabouts...

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Bernica

Wow, 10 degrees to 25 all in Patrick? Sounds low, but I am sure I'm missing something. I have always been at 18/36 or thereabouts...

No, ten initial but 35 total. Here is my timing curve.

[Large Arbor]

I want to be at 35 degrees at 4,000 rpm.

Phil

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Large Arbor

I want to be at 35 degrees at 4,000 rpm.

Phil

If I wanted it to come in later I would just use a stiffer spring combination, but I think you'll find having it all come in before 3000 RPM to be quite rewarding.