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ignition timing

Posted: Mon May 08, 2017 6:04 pm
by 8520stephen
Hi can some one tell me do I rotate the distributor clock or anti clock to retard the timing
I have set it to 10 degrees as in the manual and have had pinking at about 40mph under load
so have used the adjustment on the side of the diff to retard it but have run out of adjustment
there's no problem with the engine as its just been rebuilt 5k miles ago
regards Steve Crossley

Re: ignition timing

Posted: Sat May 27, 2017 10:01 am
by Phil - Nottingham
Clockwise as the rota arm turns a/c. You should set the octane selector at zero before. Note are you sure 10º is correct many have 6º What model/year is it

Re: ignition timing

Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2017 12:59 pm
by 8520stephen
Hi
my car is a 1961 100 and according to the engine number it is an early one requiring the 10 degree timing setting
I now think the mixture was too week as the garage that mot'd it recommended to richen it slightly
and also there was a small leek on the exhaust manifold that has been sorte
Unfortunately I cant drive at the moment due to medical reasons so am relying on my wife to take it out for testing ,with me in the passenger seat
not the best situation
roll on when I can drive it my self again

Re: ignition timing

Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2017 11:11 pm
by Phil - Nottingham
They should not pink - the mixture does need setting up per the book and the timing is never absolute for any engine. Modern fuels often need less advance. It's best to use a strobe and then preferably with a vac gauge adjust timing to get the fastest idle.

Re: ignition timing

Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 12:53 am
by jp928
Surely to retard the spark you would turn dizzy body in the direction of rotation of the rotor? My rule of thumb for timing, in the absence of real data, is as far advanced as possible, JUST short of pinging. You should do this setting with the grade of fuel you habitually use, but expect some pinging if you have to use a lower octane on occasion. Retarded timing can increase the engine's temperature significantly in my experience.
jp 26 Rover 9

Re: ignition timing

Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2018 1:23 pm
by KeithPearson
Phil - Nottingham wrote:Clockwise as the rota arm turns a/c. You should set the octane selector at zero before. Note are you sure 10º is correct many have 6º What model/year is it
That will advance it!