Ignition timing question

[Stevetubbyturbo]

I've taken some time of work so I can get on with some jobs on the Stag one of them is to give it a service and general check over, since I've only had it 4 months so I checked the ignition timing with a timing light (Im assuming that the pick up sensor clamps on number 2 lead) and it's firing at about 18-20 degrees BTDC and in the manual it states 12 degrees is there any reason the previous owner would have set the timing like this or could it have just moved, it seems to run fine no loss of power no pinking, I run it on standard unleaded with additive (valvemaster plus) as the valves have not been redone. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciate.

Many thanks

Steve

[V Mad]

The 12 deg only applies at static or at idle (700 rpm) with vacuum disabled. Are you really getting 18-20 under those conditions?

If thats the case I suspect your cranshaft damper mark does not show true TDC (I am told they can slip but I dont have any evidence of that myself).

[Stevetubbyturbo]

It idles at 650 (indicated by rev counter) checked timing with vacuum pipe removed and plugged.
If my crank damper has slipped is there another way to find TDC so I can remark the damper with a spot of paint until I reset it at a later date?

Cheers Steve

[V Mad]

Use a long thin screwdriver through the plug hole to sense TDC. I made up an old spark plug with a metal rod through the middle, then used a dial gauge to get TDC exactly.

[Stevetubbyturbo]

Cheers will have a go tomorrow.

Steve

[martin]

Just a thought Steve, as Chris suggests, 18-20 is a lot, but if she's running without pinking things are probably OK. Martin.

[milothedog]

IIRC I think mine is at 16 and runs/idles fine. (It has a Newtronic ignition system)

Ian.

[Stevetubbyturbo]

Just a thought Steve, as Chris suggests, 18-20 is a lot, but if she's running without pinking things are probably OK. Martin.

The old girl runs beautifully, sound lovely and pulls like a train it has loads of torque low in the rev range I can put her in forth at 25 and push the loud pedal and she will pull away no pinking just a nice burble, the guy i brought the car off really knew his stuff and thats why I think she runs so well, will probably do as Chris said and check TDC via a screwdriver in the plug hole and if if the damper is out just remark it and if not out leave well alone as long as it wont hurt.

Cheers
Steve

[Stagdad]

I set mine at 16DEG ,97 ron, no problems

Cheers Steve

[martin]

I've still got mine at 12deg but I feel like experimenting. Martin.

[bunny]

Hi Steve
This may open a can of worms, which may put my mind at rest, about additive.
I have been told that its not need in the stags.
Iam just having my heads welded and skimmed plus new guilds put in by a guy who used to work for a firm in coventry that made valves many years ago, and he assures me that valves made from 1958, long time lol are fine with unleaded.
Be nice guys lol

[Stevetubbyturbo]

Hi Steve
This may open a can of worms, which may put my mind at rest, about additive.
I have been told that its not need in the stags.
Iam just having my heads welded and skimmed plus new guilds put in by a guy who used to work for a firm in coventry that made valves many years ago, and he assures me that valves made from 1958, long time lol are fine with unleaded.
Be nice guys lol

Can't really comment on that as TBH I don't know, but I did test drive a stag that I was looking to buy before I got the one I have now and I asked the guy if he used lead replacement additive and he said there was no need as the valves were man enough, to cut a long story short it was gutless hardly any power (couldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding) weather that was down to no lead replacement was ever used I don't know, but the chap I brought my one off told me to use it religiously and even gave me a bottle of it to use as I would have to fill up on the way home. Not saying it is or isn't but I'll still be using it, but Thankyou for your post.

Cheers steve

[martin]

Hi Bunny, the seats are fine, but you need TR7 exhaust valves, they're not expensive and you run the risk of the valves wearing down (sinkage) Martin.

[bunny]

Hi martin thanks for that.
Whats this party in norfolk then

[flying farmer]

I think I read somewhere it was some of the mk1's that had soft valve seats, all the mk2 heads had hardened seats but the valves suitable for unleaded were fitted to the later ones, unless of course the heads have been rebuilt in which case it is more likely that unleaded spec valves were fitted.
As to ignition timing, if it doesn't pink it isn't too far advanced. I have seen timing marks 4 degrees out, nothing loose, just like that from the factory.
If a mk2 engine has been rebuilt with county pistons the compression ratio will be lower than the mk1 anyway so will probably take more ignition timing
Neil