16 replies to this topic

[Jammy]

I know this has been partially covered in previous threads, but I've just spent this morning reading them and I'm still non the wiser. I did sit in front of my car last night, looking at the HBOL and reading through the instructions to my new Gunsons Strobe (Xenon!!!) timing light, and got stuck at how to put the pickup on spark plug 1!!

So could someone give me a step by step instruction on how to set up this blooming timing?

I can't see any marks on the flywheel, but then I do have a wacking great big servo in the way, so I'm hoping I can do this off the timing marks on the pulley at the rad end?

The other thing was that I was sposed to set the revs as the first thing, well the problem with that is the car idles slightly irractically!

EDIT: Forgot to mention I am running Lucas electronic ignition with a 45DM6 (??) dizzy.

[A_SERIES_SUPPLIES]

hi j
to check TOP DEAD CENTRE WITHOUT looking in the flywheel casing

remove spark plug no1 (next to rad)
remove the dizzy cap
turn the engine over by the fan ,till no 1 piston comes up to tdc , then check to see rotor arm is pointing at NO 1 , then check the timin marks on the bottom pulley.
if you still unsure then remove rocker cover and with the engine in the same position the 7 & 8 rockers should be just on the turn.
this will determine TDC ,
then use the timing light to adjust with the revs about 1500 with no vacuum pipe connected.
thanks eddie

[minimole]

i thought you use a strobe on the crank markings (near the rad)

[Jammy]

Yea, I can get TDC ok, its just I'm not sure exactly how to use the timing light, how I connect that pickup thing to the spark plug. I believe your meant to put a white mark on the fan belt and then time it to that, but not sure exactly how?

[A_SERIES_SUPPLIES]

Yea, I can get TDC ok, its just I'm not sure exactly how to use the timing light, how I connect that pickup thing to the spark plug. I believe your meant to put a white mark on the fan belt and then time it to that, but not sure exactly how?

hi j
on the bottom pulley should be a little notch clean this and mark with light colour (white or yellow ) there should be a marker next to the pulley with points on it
if you look at the haynes again about timing it will show you what it looks like .

the pick up lead should connect to no 1 lead by a connector on the end of the lead
just fits loosly around the plug lead, picks up the current passing through it.
thanks edd

[Guess-Works.com]

what sort of clutch do you have, diaphram or verto, timing marks are only present on the diaphram flywheel... ( and the use of a mirror is very good )

other than that at the other end you shoul have a set of spikes on the timing chain cover, which represetn TDC abd then 4 degree intervals BTDC, and if your REALY lucky on the pully you'll have a little grove on the inside which denotes when no1 is at TDC. Ideally they should have dots of white paint on, but I find Tippex works a treat and is slightly flourescent

Then connect strob to no1 ht lead and plug, loosen the dizzy fixing point, and start engine.... shin flassy light at mirror or pully, and look for the marks... turn dizzy as necessary, ( pretty much by ear from now on !)

[Purple Tom]

Ideally they should have dots of white paint on, but I find Tippex works a treat and is slightly flourescent

Or, if you're really stuck for something, exhaust paste (gun gum) works really well too.....

[Jammy]

Ok, I understand pretty much all of that now.

I have a pre-Verto clutch.

Does anyone have one of those Gunsons timing lights? If I connect the pickup to spark plug 1 I won't be able to get the HT lead on!

[A_SERIES_SUPPLIES]

Ok, I understand pretty much all of that now.

I have a pre-Verto clutch.

Does anyone have one of those Gunsons timing lights? If I connect the pickup to spark plug 1 I won't be able to get the HT lead on!

hey j
it dose not fit to the plug or the end of the lead ,it goes around the lead with the lead on the spark plug and pick up the current .
if it does not i have a couple of timing lights. and could pop over at some point.
eddie

[Purple Tom]

yes Jammy I've got one - you don't clip it around the plug, you just clip it around the lead anywhere along its length (which is already on the plug). It picks up the current and activates the light when the plug plug fires.

[Jammy]

You know, I was just looking at a picture of it on Gunsons website and thought to myself, the only way that is going anywhere near the spark plug is if it went round the HT lead! And then it clicked!! Ok, will have a bash at it tonight!

Cheers guys!

[Dan]

45DM6

You'll get a lot less erratic idle if you stop using a 6 cylinder dizzy!

Check that that isn't really the code for your distributor, as if it is there's something very odd going on.

[A_SERIES_SUPPLIES]

45DM6

You'll get a lot less erratic idle if you stop using a 6 cylinder dizzy!

Check that that isn't really the code for your distributor, as if it is there's something very odd going on.

jammy
dan could be right there
what engine is this you are timng up BILLS or the 998cc?
i know bill does convert dizzys with a very special internal kit from a ford cosworth
edd

[Jammy]

Yea, forgot to mention that, it is the cosworth ignition from the 1425! I take it this is going to be a problem?

[A_SERIES_SUPPLIES]

Yea, forgot to mention that, it is the cosworth ignition from the 1425! I take it this is going to be a problem?

hi j
yeah it will work but idle will be rough ,im sure the weights and curve will be wrong ,probably better using a standard dizzy with the cozzy kit from bills dizzy, or get a metro electronic job .

just to add BE VERY CAREFUL if handling this cosworth ignition system while it is connected to the car ,as it gives more than just a jump up your arm .
one shock could make some people pass out !!!!!!!!!!!
eddie