There is nothing that you need a rev counter for. In fact, using one to set full advance at some spuriously noted rpm could leave you over advanced if at that rpm the advance hadn't finished advancing. Just increase the revs until the timing no longer advances with increased revs. That's full advance and the rpm that occurs, while "interesting" , is neither here nor there.
Thanks Zedders just one q. How do I know when the timing no longer advances? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
By pointing your timing light at the timing mark and watching it move as you increase the revs. If it's a type-4 you have a timing scale to look at. Type-1 may have degrees marked on aftermarket pulley, or Someone may have calculated and marked the pulley (though you wouldn't know what they chose to mark) or You could do that, or You do the maths and use the 7.5 deg timing mark as the base with an adjustable timing light.
Ahhh ok a little more complicated then. I’ve never set the timing so no timing light yet .... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Any old cheap timing light will do. Adjustable ones can confuse. Carbs are last on the settings list. Timing first - if timing is out, setting the carbs to run with bad timing will mean when you set timing correctly the carbs will be set wrong. That particularly applies to idle speed stops.
That makes sense. This forum is the dogs!!! Timing light arriving tonight. Thanks will give it a go Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Yes good advice. Cylinder heads replaced so will check valve. Not massively confident in the care taken by the garage Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The timing was off so I’ll have another crack at setting the carbs after I’ve checked the valve clearance. Thanks everyone! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
If you have an adjustable timing light you end up using your nose to turn the dial when measuring... one hand on throttle, one hand holding the gun, and nose tweaking the advance setting on the gun to bring the marker on the pulley back to the seam.. Just checking that it wound up to 28 degrees when set at idle to 8 degrees or so.
I'm getting familiar with the timing now. Having read a few posts and google searches, it seems the 28-30 degrees is more important that idle - is that correct? If so - yes - I have set it at around 28 - thanks
Correct. Type-4 like 27-28, T1 seem to like a little more 28-30. Once that is set, wherever it idles it's easiest to live with it. You might then find the tickover speed is a little slow or fast which you can adjust with the throttle stops. So...having said all that if REALLY get into it you would set and leave the throttle stops never to touch them again, then bend the distributor advance stops such that whatever idle timing needed to get 850rpm advanced to 28 degs...but that's getting complicated.
Zedders..... my ability stretches to basic timing and bolting a lid of a tin of tomatoes to block a hole in my tinware. I’ll save that for another day for now !! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
