1 reply to this topic

[DannyTip]

I fitted an ignitor to my 92 mini today and after a few problems got everything running. I took the 12v feed from the right hand side of the top fuse after testing if it was switched or not with a test light is this a good location? Also after i got it running it was running a bit rough i figured the timing was a bit out so i turned the dizzy anti-clockwise a fraction (is that retarding or advancing?) and it seamed to run a lot smoother.

I should be able to borrow a timing gun tomorrow but how on earth do you use them and what should the timing be set to on a 998?

Cheers

[dklawson]

I can only offer limited comments. I can't say whether or not you've chosen a good power supply point, however, as long as it can supply 4 amps more than it was before without blowing any fuses (and has a full +12V) you should be OK.

In spite of what Pertronix/Aldon says about the Ignitor, you do need to re-time the engine after switching to electronic ignition. You CAN static time the Ignitor modules (not Ignitor II). Download this PDF for some instructions on that.
http://home.mindspri...taticTiming.pdf

I have never gone by what the books say is the correct timing for a particular year or engine size. The truth be told, you can disconnect and plug the vacuum advance tubing, bring the RPM up close to 4000 RPM and set the dynamic timing to about 32 degrees. After you've set that high-speed timing, you test drive the car placing under high load at low speed (accelerate uphill in too low a gear) listening for pinging and knocking. If you hear any, you re-time the engine, reducing the advance by about 2 degrees. Repeat your test drives and retarding of the ignition until you hear no pinging. At that point you've got the maximum advance your engine can handle for its condition and the grade of fuel you're using.

You asked about what way to turn the dizzy to advance/retard the ignition. The ROTOR is going around CCW inside the dizzy. Therefore, if you turn the dizzy body CW you are advancing the timing. Turn it CCW and you are retarding the timing.

You also asked about how to use a timing light. There are many types. I prefer an inductive pickup advance light. These clamp around the spark plug wire to #1 cylinder and get power from the car's battery (one lead to the hot terminal on the starter solenoid, the other earthed). Advance lights have a "knob" on the back to change when the flash in the gun fires. For "normal" idle timing adjustment you set the gun's knob to "zero" start the engine, set the desired idle speed, remove and plug the vacuum advance, then point the timing light at the timing marks (early Minis like mine... under the clutch cover, later cars, on the front pulleys). The gun's light will "freeze" the timing mark relative to the pointer. You loosen the dizzy clamp and turn the dizzy body slowly while firing the timing gun at the marks... stopping when you get the correct marks to line up. Then you lock the dizzy clamp. For the HIGH SPEED timing I described in paragraph #2 above, you adjust the knob on the timing light to 32 degrees and start the engine as described above. You use the idle stop screws to bring the RPM up to 4k then you point the gun at the timing marks. Since the GUN's knob is set to 32 degrees... you line up the engine's ZERO timing mark with the pointer and lock the dizzy clamp and reset the idle speed.

I'm sure this is TMI but try and weed through my ramblings.