Setting Static ignition timing?

[AlfaNeely@domain.elided]

Kevin,
       It does not really matter which way you turn it.  Just turn it back 
and forth, turning the light on and off until you get it exactly at the point 
where the points are opening and shutting off the light.  When the light is 
on, the points are closed.  When the light goes off, the points are open and 
that is also the point at which the field in the coil will collapse and fire 
the spark plug.
       Bottom line is, I guess the way you turn it depends on weather the 
points are open or closed before you start.  The rotor turns clockwise.  So 
if the points are closed, you turn the body of the distributor anti clockwise 
to open the points.  If the points are open, you would turn the body of the 
distributor clockwise to close them.
       You can do all this with the distributor cap off so you can watch the 
points and rotor to make sure you are doing what you think you are doing.

       Ain't points wonderful?  You cannot do this with an electronic 
ignition, or at least not the ones I have removed from various Alfas to put 
in a real distributor.

Ciao,
Russ Neely
Oklahoma City



In a message dated 07/27/2002 3:43:49 PM Central Daylight Time, 
owner-alfa-digest@domain.elided writes:



> 
> Date: Sat, 27 Jul 2002 11:54:33 -0400
> From: Kevin Trent <trentkc@domain.elided>
> Subject: Setting Static ignition timing?
> 
> I'm trying to start a spica injected 2L that has not run for 6-8 
> years.  I'll spare you the details in getting to this point, but now have a 
> situation where I have to start from scratch on setting the ignition 
> timing, because the distributor has been swapped out.
> 
> My Autobook #724 describes the following procedure (after setting the crank 
> to the timing pointer on the compression stroke and installing a test lamp 
> in parallel with the contact points):
> 
> "Switch on the ignition and turn the distributor body in an ANTICLOCKWISE 
> direction until the test lamp goes out.  Now turn the distributor back very 
> slowly until the lamp lights, which indicates that the points are just 
> opening.  Carefully tighten..."
> 
> My book has a handwritten note next to the text above that says "WRONG - 
> turn distributor body clockwise".  I vaguely remember writing that note a 
> long time ago when performing the same task.
> 
> Can someone out there validate the correct direction to turn the 
> distributor body?  I'm interpreting the turning of the distributor body in 
> relation to the engine block - left is anticlockwise, right is clockwise.
> 
> Thanks,  //KCT, Powell TN
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