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Ignition Timing

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2019 5:11 pm
by JimmyC
When I was young we use to set the timing on cars by advancing them until the engine knocked under full load then backed it off just a bit, like 2 degrees. Then we tried to start it and if it cranked hard we backed it off a bit more. Has anybody tried this?

Does anybody understand why the static timing is different with a hot vs cold engine?

Does anybody use a timing light?

Re: Ignition Timing

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2019 5:24 pm
by pcolette
I have used a timing light powered from a seperate 12V battery I keep on hand. Usually 3-5 degrees BTDC worked well for me. Now that I have the PinzSSI system, timing is set without the engine running per the instructions.

Re: Ignition Timing

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2019 6:36 pm
by boeing7873
I have the SSI ignition, and lost the ability to use the timing gun. Therefore, I use the technique you described... advance until it knocks, the come down a little more...
Works...

Re: Ignition Timing

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2019 11:59 am
by audiocontr
Agreed on SSI - i was able to advance a few more degrees than the SSI instructions state without issue.

Re: Ignition Timing

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2019 12:26 pm
by whitesik
I am confused. I thought the SSI was statically set at TDC, red light on, and the SSI module did the rest. No need to adjust anything else. Am I missing something?

Re: Ignition Timing

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2019 2:12 pm
by audiocontr
it is, but you can advance a little past TDC and not find yourself in a ping state. i found it idled and ran better

Re: Ignition Timing

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2019 7:45 pm
by 4x4Pinz
in the early models the SSI had a switch for on road and off road. you could advance it manually a little. not many used the option and it just made the system a little more complicated for little gain. I just run mine slightly advanced all the time and get a little better performance.

Re: Ignition Timing

Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2019 8:08 pm
by pinzinator
I have it stated in the instructions that the timing can be advanced, just use common sense. By setting the timing at TDC, the curve advance follows the factory recommendation as close as possible. Advancing is OK, and is accomplished by rotating the module against the rotation of the timing disc (CCW), just like you would with a distributor, using the rotor as a reference direction. I set mine a few degrees advanced and it runs great.
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