Setting Ignition timing

Hello everybody,

I just wonderred what the preferred method is for setting ignition timing. If I were to rotate the engine in one direction only, this would be the closest to how the ignition and engine works anyway however, it would not allow anything for the dwell of the piston at tdc. I could also rotate the engine in both directions and find the point in the middle as tdc. I often try to use a strobe too. Is there anything between these methods?

Cheers, Rob

Hi Rob,
You need a dial gauge with an extension piece that sits through the plug hole so that you can find TDC with great accuracy, you can then reverse the engine slowly to the point you want to set the ignition at before lining all the marks up on the rotor and screwing down the rotor tightly.
What ever you do don't guess, get a dial gauge to do the job!!!!
Hope that helps
Alan

I have a dial gauge but not one to fit in the plug hole. I normally just take the head off. Is it beneficial to set the timing dynamically?

Rob

Hi Rob,
Better you make an adapter for the plug hole so that you can fit the dial gauge down into it without the need to take the head off! If the rotor is keyed to the crank then you can mark up the TDC position and firing position with the head off and just line the marks up in future. However if there is no keyway you will need the adapter for the dial gauge.
Looks like a visit to the lathe is in order!
I have used dynamic setting with a strobe for checking calibration of crank position sensors, but in general it is not an easy way in the paddock on race day.
Better with the dial gauge.
See this web page to understand:
http://www.slp.cc/catalog.cfm?pageID=detail&catalogID=5&catID=44&productID=582
Hope this helps
Alan