Ignition Timing With a Stroboscope

[banjomandolin]

Hi All,
        How can you check the Bis ignition timing using a stroboscope ?.  How can the timing light "see" the 10 degree BFTDC mark on the timing case cover and filter cover with the rear engine support panel in position. Do you jack the engine up and remove the rear panel and run the engine with it supported on the jack ?.  Doing this is likely to cause the engine to wobble like a jelly and might even fall off the jack.

[Chris Lakin]

hi John nooooo dont jack the engine up, youre right though its a bugger to do, you have to really lean over the engine, mark the notches with tipex (on the oil filter lid) and on the 10 degree notch.  Ive only ever had my engine done twice with a timing light, the second time i did it the car ran so rough at the factory set spec that i had to in the end set it by ear.  ::  its imperitive the carburetta is  set up well in order to benefit from a timing light, thats what i have found anyway.

i hope this has helped a bit john, and i hope someone else can englighten too.

regards

Chris

[banjomandolin]

Hi Chris, thanks for your advice. Two years ago I was in touch with a 500 owner in Leicester. His engine was out of the car and he wanted to test it's operation so he sat it on a cushion, connected temporary fuel and electrics and started it up. He said it just sat there putt-putting contentedly to itself. All was fine as long as it could tick over but when he asked it for some revs it writhed about out of control like a demented Dinosaur. To try this with a Bis would be more complicated because of the water cooling. I think I'll stick to static timing !.