ignition timing

[phil]

Hello all,

Im trying to find a section in the Europa workshop manual detailing engine timing using a strobe light, Ive found that it should be 12Deg BTDC, and No.1 cylinder is nearest front of car? Only other info is for the Renault engine.
I need some details on the timing marks etc if possible?

Regards   Phil

[TCS4605R]

Phil,

I use 30 deg. before top dead center at 3,000 RPM and yes the cylinder nearest the front of the car is No. 1 - my timing is for a 40DCOE Weber head on a Twin Cam with L cams.

Tom
74TCS - 4605R

[jbcollier]

TC timing is found in the "engine tuning" section of the TC workshop manual.

http://www.lotus-europa.com/manuals/tcwork/e/index.htm#3

[Pete]

Hi.
I’ve been looking into timing. I’ve read the manual about how to do it etc. But can’t find what advance I should be setting it too. Does it very for every engine. I see Tom said he sets it to 30deg but that’s at 3k rpm. Yet the manual says to set it at 2.5k rpm. But doesn’t say what deg.

Thanks again
Pete

[literarymadness]

If you click on the link JB posted go to E3 (#12) where you saw the 2500 rpms and click on (see Technical Data) and then click on "Ignition System", the Timing Degrees are there.  It says 14 degrees maximum advance (that is on top of the 12 degrees static).  That is a total of 26 degrees Euro-spec and 21 degrees Fed-spec. But those numbers are conservative, especially the Fed-spec. If you are running 93 Octane (US) or 98 RON (Euro) and your motor has hotter cams, you can advance higher.

[Dilkris]

If all else fails and if the car is mobile - do it be trial and error and "feel" - take it down the road and see how she behaves - she will tell you when she is happy. 

[jbcollier]

Setting timing by ear is fine for light road use.  Drive flat out and you could well hole a piston.  Always, always check your total advance with a timing light.

[Dilkris]

What did we do before the advent of timing lights and color tune kits John.... 

[jbcollier]

Timing lights go back a long way.  You had to mark the degrees on the pulley yourself.  I used to use simple arithmetic to calculate and mark the pulleys.  It’s not that hard.  They had distributor machines as well.

People used to time air-cooled VWs by ear too.  Man, they ran great... until the first long hill.

[Pete]

The timing strobe light I found in my uncles garage was next to useless at trying to light it up. I’ve picked up some tipex to mark the points on the wheel and casing. Think I will have to do it in the dead of night too. Lol

[BDA]

Modern timing lights are available, usually with xenon bulbs so they can be used most any time.