Back in the old days, I used to set ignition timing by advancing it to achieve maximum revs at tickover (with the vacuum plugged) and then backing it off to just avoid pinking.
My old Kia Pride has got a carburettor (with lots of electricary gubbins) and a distributor, but no points.
The handbook gives an ignition timing of two degrees BTDC (+ or - one), but with no other criteria.
I've also seen an advised setting of '9-11 @ 700' but again with no criteria.
The timing was set at about 6 degrees BTDC around 700 RPM with the vacuum plugged when I got it, which I've changed to about 4 degrees BTDC as a compromise. It's made no appreciable difference changing it. I've got an old Xenon timing lamp to measure it.
I don't know if it's fitted with a knock sensor.
I use it for trialling (maximum torque at minimum revs) and grass autotesting (7K RPM) as well as general road use.
Any suggestions as to setting the optimum ignition timing for different uses would be appreciated.
It's quite easy to mark up different positions on the distributor and quickly adjust it.
|