An inexpensive xenon timing light can help you maintain the maximum benefit from your fuel.
The Bottom Line: Precise carburation, perfect points gap and exact valve clearances mean nothing if they don’t synchronise at the optimum moment. Using a xenon timing light is easy and reliable and will pay dividends in engine longevity.
You’ll be needing:
– Xenon Timing Light: Gunson’s Xenon Timing Light allows dynamic ignition timing with up to 60° of advance.
The inductive HT pick-up is easy to fit. 12v with reverse polarity and overload protection.
– Spanners: Whitworth Spanners, BA Spanner set Open Ended
– Visible timing marks
– A daub of Tippex to highlight timing marks if necessary
– To park out of bright sunlight
– Sid for specialised tuning
Skill: Novice
Time: Half an hour
The Steps
1. Timing marks are usually stamped on the crankshaft pulley (as shown) or on the flywheel (Land Rover for example). Make sure you can read them easily.
2. Connect the HT pick-up to No1 lead. The inductive pick-up simply slots over the lead. An arrow indicates the current flow to the spark plug…
3. … as seen here. It’s a loose fit so don’t worry if it moves. Note the Lumenition pack below it.
4. Timing on this engine is done with the distributor advance mechanism pipe disconnected. Check spec sheets.
5. The advance/retard knurled wheel allows fine tuning of the mechanism if necessary. Ensure it moves freely. This wasn’t.
6. Alternatively, the pinch bolt can be slackened off slightly to allow movement if required. Do not over tighten.
7. Power to the gun is 12v from the battery. Aim at the timing marks with the engine at idle. Is it as specified?
8. Sid has a more advanced version which does the same thing and more. He made adjustments at different parts of the rev range for the optimum performance.
