Ignition query - not Stag

[iani]

I know the procedure for setting static timing on my 4.2 Jag, however, it's complicated by the timing pointer being at the bottom of the engine. Being on my own it's difficult to read results & make adjustments so I was wondering:

I want to fit a replacement Dizzy, it's a new Powerspark unit, this will only fit one way as the drive dog is keyed.

If I remove the old dizzy and note the plug the rotor is pointing to, then set the new dizzy up in the same orientation and fit it, should it run enough to enable me to time it dynamically?

Ian

[wilf]

I can't see why not Ian, that is just how I would do it, and I think on that engine the dizzy drops down onto the drive dog without turning on a skew gear like a Stag water pump?

Watch the rotor arm as you pull the old one out - if it turns, then note where it ends up pointing to and mimic that on the old one.

[GDPR]

Should do, as you say it is dogged so won't turn - the alignment of the trigger should be as near as dammit the same as the points cam - give or take a little twist on the body.

fyi I have the camshaft alignment plate and the upper timing chain adjuster tool in my box from my Jag days - still look after a 65 fhc e type.....

Russ

[iani]

Thanks chaps, I have just fitted the Powerspark dizzy and, so far, it's a big improvement. The unit I removed has done 110k miles over 46 years and I believe it is untouched, it was very dirty inside and the A/R adjuster has seized. I like the FHC too Russ, but even though the 2+2 is the least desirable, most people just see it as an E-Type, I've had a lot of admiring comments over the last few weeks.

Ian