Strobe timing a series 2,25

[CapeLandy]

Anyone have a proceedure for using a timing light on the 2,25 petrol.
My manual only gives the old fashion way probably before timing lights were around.
I just need to check mine since chaning points, plugs and condenser.

Thanks
James

[Blknight.aus]

assuming you want to know how to do it using a timing light....

same as you do it on any other engine. On the front pully is a timing mark hook up your timing light to the battery and #1 plug lead (paying attention to orientation of the clamp) and then start it up, point the light at the front pully, pull the trigger and your set to fiddle with the dizzy position to get the timing.

Remember that your initial timing should already be done and that you need to first set the idle speed (600rpm from memory), disconect the vacume advance unit and plug the engine side of that line before setting off on this merry adventure. 8 degrees Before TDC from memory in this configuration which should jump to about 12 when you plug the vac line back together.

[CapeLandy]

Is the rpm set by ear or should it be exact?
As she is a series girl she has never seen a rev counter.
But thanks for the tip. I will try tomorrow am if I don't have to work another Sunday bloody Sunday

Cheers
James

[JDNSW]

You may have a problem with Dave's procedure if it is an early engine - before the early sixties (up to suffix J for 7:1 engines) they did not have markings and a pointer on the front, and the flywheel markings are a little more difficult to see with a strobe.

The "old fashioned way" is probably easier in any case since you don't have to disconnect anything or worry about idling speed, and should give the same results if the distributor is in reasonable condition.

John

[Blknight.aus]

when he says the old fashioned way Im assuming hes meaning a static timing of the engine (which on any petrol series engine should get you bang on anyway) and I assumed that as his tag has SIII 109 in it that he was talking about a SIII engine, AFAIK (and correct me if im wrong) but dont all series III have the marks on the front end?

But to answer the 600 Rpm thing youve got to be pretty close My timing light kit came with an additional meter that checks 2 levels of volts (0-6 + 0-24), dwell and 2 levels of RPM (0-1000 + 0-5000) (actual numbers are from memory and might be out) AFAIK most timing light kits come with some kind of tacho if you get them in a box (But i havent bought a Kmart special or a supercheap one so I'm more than likely wrong on that count). ALL that said IME with the vac advance disconnected and winging it by ear for the adjusting the idle on a warm engine (with a good dizzy and carby) slowing it up till it just starts to hunt then easing it back up till it ticks over like a sewing machine is going to be near on 600. Remember its +/- 50 rpm by the book which is a fair range at such a low speed.

[JDNSW]

when he says the old fashioned way Im assuming hes meaning a static timing of the engine (which on ANY series engine should get you bang on anyway)

Yes, that is what I was assuming. And yes, it should be, if anything, more accurate than strobe timing, unless the distributor is seriously worn so that the static and running positions of the shaft are significantly different - and in that case accurate timing is likely to be the least of your worries.

John