Thread: Special tool for dizzy Timing ?

Originally Posted by superquag

Bit of an odd one,... whats the tool & method of choice for attacking the bolt /nut that secures the distributor? - I want to advance it a few degress and see if that (and higher octane fuel) gives me better economy....

My last foray into spark ignition was on Jap engines, where such things are blindingly obvious and easy to get at... And when I had brown hair and LOTS of it ..

Do I come under the air-pump with a ratchet-ring spanner? Or from above with one of those right-angled bent spanners ? Looks like 9/16"

3.9 litre low compression v-8 95 Classic Vogue

James in Gosnells

If its the vee belt engine undo and lift up the alternator tensioner bar. On a serpentine belt engine lift the clip-on cover from the radiator shroud. In either case a normal open end 9/16 spanner will reach the nut.

Yep, worked.. Mine is the serpentine belt... had'nt twigged that the centre section of the shroud clipped off... makes it easy to feed the other end of the spanner between the fan blades as I turn it....

I'll just give the dizzy a series of tiny advances till it sounds like its thinking of pinging.,... then a quiet drive to the servo to add some 95 or 98 RON. - Much easier than finding my timing light (probably died of boredom for the last 25 years) buried deep inside my shed somewhere.....

James in Gosnells