Timing help?

[Keoke]

Brandon go back and read my post, it tells you what you want to know.---Keoke

 

[BrandonBJ8]

Keoke - Maybe I missed it again, but I still didn't see anything about it. Do i need to remove the radiator, fan, etc to adjust the timing or is there an easier way?

 

[Keoke]

Keoke - Maybe I missed it again, but I still didn't see anything about it. Do i need to remove the radiator, fan, etc to adjust the timing or is there an easier way?

Nope! and I even told you the correct wrench size to use when loosening the distributor clamping bolt. Do you know what that bolt does and where it is located??-Keoke

 

[BrandonBJ8]

I'm a complete novice when it comes to this. I've finally got the carbs and fuel pump figured out, but cams/timing etc is a mystery to me. (That's why I'm here to learn!)

I thought you adjust the timing from the front of the engine, behind the fan.

I'm assuming the clamping bolt for the distributor clamps the distributor to the frame? /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

 

[Cutlass]

The timing is typically adjusted by loosening the distributor via its clamp at its base, and rotating the distributor either clockwise or counterclockwise. Fine tuning the timing can be accomplished via the venier knob on the vacuum advance on the distributor. No need to remove the fan, radiator, etc. Given the nature of your questions, I would strongly advise your enlisting the aid of someone who has done this before. It's not all that difficult, but it does appear that you need help the first time.

 

[healeynut]

I'm a complete novice when it comes to this. I've finally got the carbs and fuel pump figured out, but cams/timing etc is a mystery to me. (That's why I'm here to learn!)

I thought you adjust the timing from the front of the engine, behind the fan.

I'm assuming the clamping bolt for the distributor clamps the distributor to the frame? /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

Wow, brandon, you are a novice... sorry we tend to assume that most of us know the basics so sorry if we leave details out.

Timing of the spark is controlled by the rotated position of the distributor to the camshaft, of which the distributor is connected to. So, if you turn the distributor clockwise or anti-clockwise you will change the timing of your motor. You may be getting confused because some people talk about "camshaft timing"... but this has nothing to do with the spark and is ONLY applicable to nutcases and racers. You wouldn't ever remove your radiator to adjust your timing... except maybe on an Italian car!

Howstuffworks.com is a fantastic resource and can explain many things about the basics of a motor and how they work:

https://auto.howstuffworks.com/engine4.htm
https://auto.howstuffworks.com/engine1.htm
https://auto.howstuffworks.com/ignition-system4.htm

You should read through their webpages, they have excellent illustrations. Hope that helps.

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[Keoke]

Hi Brandon, "How Stuff Works" is a good tutorial bit of information. However, I suggest that you get a Factory Workshop manual and a Factory service parts manual for the car. They will leave you with a few unanswered questions. But they deal with the specifics of your car. I am here, you can E-mail me off list if you care to and I will try to answer any question you may have.--Keoke

 

[Dave Russell]

some people talk about "camshaft timing"... but this has nothing to do with the spark and is ONLY applicable to nutcases and racers.

Since I'm not presently racing, I must be a "nutcase". I consider camshaft timing to vitally important. That's ok, I've been called worse things.
D

 

[healeynut]

some people talk about "camshaft timing"... but this has nothing to do with the spark and is ONLY applicable to nutcases and racers.

Since I'm not presently racing, I must be a "nutcase". I consider camshaft timing to vitally important. That's ok, I've been called worse things.
D

Ok maybe that was a little overboard, how about "cog-agog" or "cog-silly"?

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[BrandonBJ8]

Thanks for all the support and resources guys. I've been wanting to get a book or read up on a lot of the basics. They Healey's been great as I've been able to learn so much (but have soooo much more to learn). All my previous cars were newer so I never had to do much except change an air filter/intake or bolt-on an exhaust but no maintenence so this is all new to me. I do have a Workshop manual (Robert Bentley Inc, The Complete Austin Healey Guide, 1977 edition) that is handy but if anyone has any other books they would recommend (newer or better workshop manuals, etc.), please let me know.

Thanks!
-Brandon

 

[GregW]

Hi Brandon,
Here is that 7/16” nut that Keoke was talking about loosening to adjust the distributor. Right at the base of the dizzy.

 

[Keoke]

Yep Brandon, Read Bobby Bently until the factory books arrive.---Keoke- /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/hammer.gif

 

[Keoke]

Thank you so much for the picture Greg. But as you know Keoke ain't got no 7/16" nut down there any more.-- /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/nonod.gif---- /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif

 

[GregW]

Yeah, I figured if Brandon needed a photo it best not be from your engine. He’d be calling all the junkyards saying “ Hi, hey do you guys have an Apollo rocket out back? I need a part.” /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif

 

[Keoke]

What chu talking about Greg it's absolutely stock!----Keoke- /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/lol.gif------ /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/banana.gif

 

[healeynut]

Brandon -

By far the best companion to the Bentley/Factory Shop manual is the Haynes Shop Manual. This manual is the best companion to the Factory Shop Manual because it provides detailed pictures and step by step process for many things that the Factory Shop Manual doesn't cover. If you are a novice, you definitely want the Haynes Manual as a companion shop manual.

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[BrandonBJ8]

Just ordered a Haynes manual...looking forward to reading it!

PS - How Stuff Works is awesome...very helpful.

 

[John Loftus]

Brandon,

Wanted to point out that when you use a timing light you point it at the pointer in Greg's picture from a safe distance. By safe, I mean you want to get it relatively close, say a foot or two away but be very cautious that you are close to the moving parts of the engine like the fan belt, pullys and the fan blades. You need to be aware of these moving parts to keep fingers, clothing, long hair, jewelry, wires from the timing light, and tach/dwell well away.

It an easy process to time the engine but it really helps to have someone walk you through it once. Where to hook up the power and coil leads, hooking up a tach/dwell, setting dwell/point gap, cleaning up the pointer area/notches, unhooking/plugging the vacuum advance, lowering the idle, unclamping the distributor, starting from the engine from the engine bay with the solenoid switch, turning to see the timing change, adjusting the timing light settings, reving the engine to check max timing. Do you belong to a British car club in Phoenix or have any 'gear head' friends that pitch in?

Cheers,
John

 

[BrandonBJ8]

This is a random question, but can you adjust the distributor while the engine is running?

Currently, I have been checking the timing, stopping the engine, adjusting the distributor, starting the car, and checking the timing again. It would be much easier to adjust the distributor while the engine was running. Is this something you can do or does the car need to be off?

 

[Keoke]

Hi Brandon, Yes the timing can be set by very slowly moving the distributor until the timing marks line up while the engine is runing.---Keoke