Timing woes

Hello,

I recently got a new (45D) replacement distributor but don't seem to be able to set it up right.

The owner's book says 6 ATDC @ 750rpm, I've just tried that and it really doesn't want to go, also it smells a bit unhappy. Also it must be getting something overheated because it runs on after you cut the ignition!

I've tried it also at 6 BTDC @ 750rpm. That goes okish but sounds like it might be pinking (but it might just be blowing at the downpipe joint) and there are sparkly bits on the plugs and stuck to the piston crown. Otherwise plugs look like its running just slightly rich but not stupidly so....

There's lots of postings all over the place but many seem to contradict one another...

I've not checked the timing chain yet - is there a quick way of checking it without removing the radiator? Tappets are spot on 0.01"

What should I do I don't want to melt anything but also don't want to die when I pull out in front of a speeding bus and it decides not to accelerate...like it just did!

I've also got a Weber carb and am unsure how to set that up but so far I've just idled it slow (450) and turned out the mixture screw til it starts to pick up then set idle stop for 750rpm.

Any Advice?

I know this is not an exact science...should I just bin the timing strobe and set it static?
Have I just got the wrong dissy?
Is it really pinking? I had an old Escort that used to pink and that sounded like fire crackers going off under the bonnet? Are landys that loud, I just get a slightly farty/blowy/exhausty noise when pulling away at lowish revs with the timing advanced and a few pops and bangs on the overrun

Dom

You could try static timing. The timing mark on the pulley may not be that reliable - mine's completely disappeared as the pulley has corroded. I usually do it by ear.

static it should be set at tdc with strobe running at idle 6 btdc ish ,then take it for a run should be better after

Thats what I've been doing, 6deg before, but it does sound a bit crackly and there are spits of metal on the plugs - surely not a good sign!

I'd really like to know the best timing set up and whether a 45D distributor is really suitable.

The owners manual does say 6deg ATDC dynamic but it really is dangerously sluggish then....

Dom

6 degrees dynamic tdc static is right will sound better when driven ,if perfect at idle it will be poorer when driven the timing setting isnt effecting plugs,distributor only difference would be the advance curve

Are you sure the vacuum advance is working? The 45d is what's fitted to mine and it's OK.

Yes vacuum seems ok, I can suck on the pipe and change the timing. I'll have to check where it is set now as it certainly drives well after just setting it by ear.

I'm still worried that I'm destroying the pistons or valves.

Dom

you wont not from having timing out a bit, if it runs well now and timing is not far from book setting leave it as all engines vary a bit

So that leaves the question...what are the little bits of metal in the cylinders?

I'll pull a few more plugs and see if they're the same, so far I've just been looking at #1

Dom

dont know but i would fiind out, are all rockers opening correctly

Yes, did the tappets and no change, they were all pretty much spot on anyway

Dom

Well I think I was just being a bit of a pussy....I've found out that the sparkly bits of metal are in the fuel! looks like there is some crap in the tank. I let some water out of the water trap tonight and the water had lots of very fine sparkly bits of metal in it....would this be the lining of the tank or something else.

The fuel pick-up and level sender are clean and tidy and looking through the hole in the top of the tank it looks nice and clean.

Dom

sorry for buttin in, but is it easy to check TDC with No.1 plug out,
rock crank back & forwards with a pencil or something down plug hole,
to get TDC.
use bit of chalk or white paint on crank pully TDC mark/timimg chain cover.
I had a car once where some doom brain had made another woodruff key slot in its pulley!
so it made timing in impossable...
I used the above tips...
Oh,
"had lots of very fine sparkly bits of metal in it"
think you need another inline filter before webber carb, also check the jets as may ? be partially blocked with sparkly bits?
carb may have a little filter above petrol inlet pipe ?
as some other webber had this...