16 replies to this topic

[jamieburke17]

ive just finished building a 1380 from lots of lovley expensive bits, its my first engine build so ive learned along the way, and now ive realised ive probably messed up by leaving till last. so how do you fit a dizzy from scratch with the engine in? should i find tdc on cylinder 1 with the rockers by rotating the flywheel through the starter motor hole? and then how do i know where the dizzy is at? its a brand new aldon ignitor you see,

[KernowCooper]

No1 cylinder firing on TDC and insert the distributor so the rotor arm is pointing at 1 O'clock, this will be no1 lead on the cap and the firing order is 1,3,4,2 in a anticlockwise order.

[jamieburke17]

aah okay thanks, apparently i should be 10 degrees before tdc, so how would i measure that?

[KernowCooper]

Your static timing wont be 10degs, if you set the timing as above then you will be close enough to start, you may need to nudge it advanced a bit, and then you'll set the timing on your Aldon to 10degs at 1000rpm with the vacuum pipe blocked, then when done refit the vac pipe. Is it a Aldon Yellow Distributor ?

[dklawson]

To expand on Dave's advice...

 

Remove the valve cover if fitted.

Remove the spark plugs if fitted. 

Place the gear selector in neutral.

Turn the engine over by hand (in the normal direction of rotation) using the fan and fan belt.

STOP turning when the timing marks on the pulley and timing chain cover line up somewhere between 5 to 8 BTDC.

Grab the rocker arms above cylinder #1 (the water pump end of the engine).

If the arms are loose and can be wiggled, stop.  If the arms are tight, turn the engine through one more complete revolution and stop at the 5 to 8 BTDC area again.  (This will be #1 near TDC on its firing stroke).

Look in the block at the distributor drive gear.  Compare it to the photo in your service manual.  If necessary, remove the drive gear using a 5/16 UNF bolt and replace the gear in the block so it looks close to the orientation shown in the manual.

 

Now it is time to fit the distributor and static time it.  Rather than type that procedure out here, please visit my download page and look for the PDF on static timing.  

https://sites.google...wson/home/files

[jamieburke17]

To expand on Dave's advice...

 

Remove the valve cover if fitted.

Remove the spark plugs if fitted. 

Place the gear selector in neutral.

Turn the engine over by hand (in the normal direction of rotation) using the fan and fan belt.

STOP turning when the timing marks on the pulley and timing chain cover line up somewhere between 5 to 8 BTDC.

Grab the rocker arms above cylinder #1 (the water pump end of the engine).

If the arms are loose and can be wiggled, stop.  If the arms are tight, turn the engine through one more complete revolution and stop at the 5 to 8 BTDC area again.  (This will be #1 near TDC on its firing stroke).

Look in the block at the distributor drive gear.  Compare it to the photo in your service manual.  If necessary, remove the drive gear using a 5/16 UNF bolt and replace the gear in the block so it looks close to the orientation shown in the manual.

 

Now it is time to fit the distributor and static time it.  Rather than type that procedure out here, please visit my download page and look for the PDF on static timing.  

https://sites.google...wson/home/files

you are an absolute hero, cheers!

[jamieburke17]

and yes it is an aldon yellow dizzy, with ignitor so electric..

[dklawson]

The PDF document I referred to in my last post includes a section on how to static time aftermarket electronic ignitions like the Ignitor module.  After reviewing the PDF let me know if you have any questions.

[peter-b]

Who's Scratch?

[jamieburke17]

Who's Scratch?

its a term meaning from the begining.. 

[dklawson]

As in "scratch made cake" or "scratch made biscuits"... (i.e. Not from a mix but from the start).

[jamieburke17]

To expand on Dave's advice...

 

Remove the valve cover if fitted.

Remove the spark plugs if fitted. 

Place the gear selector in neutral.

Turn the engine over by hand (in the normal direction of rotation) using the fan and fan belt.

STOP turning when the timing marks on the pulley and timing chain cover line up somewhere between 5 to 8 BTDC.

Grab the rocker arms above cylinder #1 (the water pump end of the engine).

If the arms are loose and can be wiggled, stop.  If the arms are tight, turn the engine through one more complete revolution and stop at the 5 to 8 BTDC area again.  (This will be #1 near TDC on its firing stroke).

Look in the block at the distributor drive gear.  Compare it to the photo in your service manual.  If necessary, remove the drive gear using a 5/16 UNF bolt and replace the gear in the block so it looks close to the orientation shown in the manual.

 

Now it is time to fit the distributor and static time it.  Rather than type that procedure out here, please visit my download page and look for the PDF on static timing.  

https://sites.google...wson/home/files

so following the the steps on your pdf, when the light bulb comes on that is when the spark happens, aldon say i should time my dizzy 10 degrees btdc, so will i move it ten degrees back when the light bulb comes on, or have i already set it by the timing marks on the engine and the dizzy drive placement? cheers

[dklawson]

fI Aldon told you 10 BTDC at some specific RPM... that is dynamic timing... not static, and must be set with a timing light with the engine running.  Static timing values are only set with the engine NOT running so no RPM is specified.  The 5-8 BTDC I mentioned earlier is just an easy, safe range to get almost any engine started.  Dynamic timing with a light typically follows once the engine is at temperature.

 

For 10 degrees of advance static timing, turn the engine over ONLY in the normal direction of rotation (do not back up).  Stop at 10 BTDC.  Connect your test light as mentioned in the PDF, turn the ignition key to run, and first turn the dizzy COUNTERCLOCKWISE slowly until the light goes out.  Then SLOWLY turn the distributor body CLOCKWISE until the light just turns on.  Switch the ignition OFF and tighten down the distributor clamp.  This will give you 10 degrees BTDC of static timing.  

 

There is one warning I will add concerning Ignitor modules.  There is/are Ignitor, Ignitor-2, and now (for some distributors) Ignitor-3.  The original Ignitor module can be static timed and it is the most common in use.  HOWEVER, whenever these modules are installed, do NOT leave the ignition on and engine NOT running.  After 3 or so minutes the module can overheat if the ignition is on and the engine is not running.  Most people wouldn't ever leave the ignition on that long but it is something to keep in mind so you don't damage your electronic ignition.

[KernowCooper]

The Aldon is 10degs at 1000rpm with the vac off to set it.

[peter-b]

Who's Scratch?

its a term meaning from the begining..

Ha ha ha, its my dry Aussie humour, sorry about that.